Hagedorn Research Institute, Novo Nordisk A/S,
Niels Steevsenvej 6, Gentofte, 2820 Denmark
. pas@novo.dk
Thanks to their much-lauded potential in treating a variety of debilitating
diseases, and their recent isolation, human embryonic stem (ES) cells1 have been the focus of a great deal of attention over the past several
months. And yet we are startlingly ignorant of the biology of stem cells and
their differentiation; an intimate appreciation of these is required to realize
therapeutic aspirations. A timely meeting*
in mid-April brought together investigators with expertise in stem cell biology
and developmental biology of the pancreas as a first step to harness stem
cells in the treatment of diabetes.
