Stem Cells Identfication
At present scientists have not agreed on a particular way to identify stem cells. However, many of the tests that are used are based upon ensuring that stem cells are undifferentiated and have the ability to self-renew. It is these properties that are looked for in labs undertaking testing and this is the standard way to test bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC).
Stem cells can be identified by transplanting a single cell into a patient without hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and if this cell produces new blood and stem cells then it has demonstrated its potency.
Another way to test the ability of cells to differentiate and self-renew is to employ a laboratory test known as Clonogenic Assays. During this procedure cells are inspected microscopically to check that they are healthy and undifferentiated. Alternatively researchers may examine chromosomes.
To test the pluripotentcy of human embryonic stem cells scientists may let the cells differentiate spontaneously in a cell culture. Alternatively they may choose to manipulate the cells so allowing them to differentiate to form specific cell types. In other instances researchers may inject the cells into an immuno-suppressed mouse; this will let them test for the formation of a teratoma (a benign tumor containing a mixture of differentiated cells).
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