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Mice in the world of stem cell biology

Nature Genetics volume 37, pages 1201–1206 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

The ability of embryos to diversify and of some adult tissues to regenerate throughout life is directly attributable to stem cells. These cells have the capacity to self-renew—that is, to divide and to create additional stem cells—and to differentiate along a specific lineage. The differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells along specific cell lineages has been used to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tissue development. The often endless capacity of embryonic stem cells to generate differentiated cell types positions the field of stem cells at the nexus between developmental biologists, who are fascinated by the properties of these cells, and clinicians, who are excited about the prospects of bringing stem cells from bench to bedside to treat degenerative disorders and injuries for which there are currently no cures. Here we highlight the importance of mice in stem cell biology and in bringing the world one step closer to seeing these cells brought to fruition in modern medicine.

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Figure 1: Time line of principal discoveries in mouse stem cell research.
Figure 2: Coaxing ESCs down selective lineages for therapeutic application to injuries and degenerative disorders.
Figure 3: Gene therapy combined with therapeutic cloning.

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Acknowledgements

We thank M. Schober, V. Horsley and C. Blanpain for discussions and advice during the preparation of this review. G.G. is a recipient of Human Frontier Science Program. E.F. is an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the recipient of funding from the US National Institutes of Health.

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  1. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, 1230 York Avenue Box 300, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Geraldine Guasch & Elaine Fuchs

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Correspondence to Elaine Fuchs.

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Guasch, G., Fuchs, E. Mice in the world of stem cell biology. Nat Genet 37, 1201–1206 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1667

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