Valuable Stem Cell Model of Human Embryonic Development Introduced in Stem Cells and Development.LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells are pluripotent stem cells that provide a novel and robust experimental system for studying cellular differentiation and human embryogenesis Embryogenesis The formation of an embryo from a fertilized ovum, or zygote. Development begins when the zygote, originating from the fusion of male and female gametes, enters a period of cellular proliferation, or cleavage. , as described in a paper to be published in the August 2004 (Volume 13, Number 4) issue of Stem Cells and Development (formerly Journal of Hematotherapy & Stem Cell Research), a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). A pre-publication copy of the paper, entitled "Human Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells: Models of Embryonic Development in Humans," is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/scd. The report by Stefan A. Przyborski, Ph.D., and colleagues from the School of Biological and Biomedical Science at the University of Durham (body, education) University of Durham - A busy research and teaching community in the historic cathedral city of Durham, UK (population 61000). Its work covers key branches of science and technology and traditional areas of scholarship. , U.K., demonstrates the value of using human EC stem cells as a model of early development. Przyborski et al. describe the methods used to derive and characterize human EC cells, the attributes of these cells, and how they can be used to study cell fate determination During development, cells are undergoing differentiation. Often, cells are discussed in terms of their terminal differentiation state. During development, fates of cells may be specified at certain times. in the embryo. Embryonal carcinoma cells derive from teratocarcinomas, or embryonic cancers. They are pluripotent plu·rip·o·tent or plu·ri·po·ten·tial adj. 1. Capable of affecting more than one organ or tissue. 2. Not fixed as to potential development. Used of an embryonic cell. cells and are considered to be the malignant counterparts of human embryonic stem cells. "This important paper describes novel malignant counterparts of embryonic stem cells called 'embryonal carcinoma cells.' These cells can be studied in the laboratory as model systems to answer important questions relevant to stem cell differentiation and development in ways that cannot easily be done using traditional and currently available embyronic stem cell lines," says Marc A. Williams, Ph.D., Co-Editor of Stem Cells and Development, from the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, is a highly regarded medical school and biomedical research institute in the United States. . Stem Cells and Development, edited by Denis Denis, king of Portugal: see Diniz. English, Ph.D., Director, Experimental Cell Research Program, The Methodist Research Institute, and Associate Professor, Allied Health Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine The Indiana University School of Medicine is the medical school of Indiana University, part of the Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Established in 1903, the school had an initial class of 25 students. , is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly bi·month·ly adj. 1. Happening every two months. 2. Happening twice a month; semimonthly. adv. 1. Once every two months. 2. Twice a month; semimonthly. n. pl. in print and online. The Journal is dedicated to communication and objective analysis of developments in the biology, characteristics, and therapeutic utility of stem cells, especially those of the hematopoietic system. A complete table of contents and free sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com/scd. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Human Gene Therapy, Cloning and Stem Cells, and Tissue Engineering. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available at www.liebertpub.com. |
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