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Stem cells

Differentiated cells in a back-up role

Two independent studies show that, if push comes to shove, differentiated cells of the stomach and lung can act as adult stem cells, generating various cell types of the tissues, including a pool of stem cells. See Article p.218

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Figure 1: When mature cells function as reserve stem cells.

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Correspondence to Tushar J. Desai or Mark A. Krasnow.

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Desai, T., Krasnow, M. Differentiated cells in a back-up role. Nature 503, 204–205 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12706

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