Supplements

Insight: Stem Cells

Vol. 441, No. 7097 pp1059-1102

In recent years, stem cells have been the subject of considerable excitement. Great progress has been made in understanding their mechanisms and unravelling their potential for therapeutic application. Widespread use of stem-cell-based therapies is still a long way off, but could one day benefit vast numbers of patients, including those with cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and heart disease.

This Nature Insight is accompanied by a special stem cells podcast, which features interviews with leading stem-cell researchers and a live discussion on the various scientific and ethical problems in this exciting field.

Readers are invited to join a web forum to exchange views and opinions raised by the Insight articles. There is also a podcast forum for issues discussed in the stem cells podcast.

In this supplement

• Editorial
• Glossary
• Reviews
• Progress
• Podcast
• Web forum

Editorial

Stem-cell Biology

Natalie DeWitt

doi:10.1038/4411059a

Full Text | PDF (164KB)

Glossary

A glossary for stem-cell biology

Austin Smith

doi:10.1038/nature04954

Abstract |Full Text | PDF (68KB)

Reviews

Nuclear reprogramming and pluripotency

Konrad Hochedlinger and Rudolf Jaenisch

doi:10.1038/nature04955

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (644KB)

Asymmetric and symmetric stem-cell divisions in development and cancer

Sean J. Morrison and Judith Kimble

doi:10.1038/nature04956

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (473KB) | Audio

The stem-cell niche as an entity of action

David T. Scadden

doi:10.1038/nature04957

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (323 KB) | Audio

Stem cells, ageing and the quest for immortality

Thomas A. Rando

doi:10.1038/nature04958

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (641 KB) | Audio

Generation of neuronal variability and complexity

Alysson R. Muotri and Fred H. Gage

doi:10.1038/nature04959

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (756 KB) | Audio

Progress

Stem cells for the treatment of neurological disorders

Olle Lindvall and Zaal Kokaia

doi:10.1038/nature04960

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (402KB)

Potential of stem-cell-based therapies for heart disease

Deepak Srivastava and Kathryn N. Ivey

doi:10.1038/nature04961

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (345 KB)

Stem-cell therapies for blood diseases

Claudio Bordignon

doi:10.1038/nature04962

Abstract | Full Text | PDF (323 KB)