Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College, London
Comparative Studies on Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Stem Cells Derived from Male Germ Cells
Stem cells are rare cells found in embryos and adults that have the potential, given the right conditions, to develop into any cell type in the body. It is hoped that in the future these cells can be used to repair diseased organs. Patients with liver disease, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease may be able to benefit in the future from an infusion such stem cells. The success of these will depend on a deeper understanding of stem cells and our ability to isolate, culture and develop them into appropriate cell types.
There are two basic stem cell types; those that are found in the very early embryo prior to implantation called inner cell mass cells which can form embryonic stem cells (ES) and adult stem cells, which are rare cells embedded in different organs such as the bone marrow. ES cells have unlimited potential to become any cell type in the body whereas adult stem cells have a more restricted potential with a limited repertoire.
We have undertaken detailed molecular studies of human embryonic cells and adult male germ cells (stem cells of the testis) in order to understand the fundamental mechanisms that underlie these differences in potential and to find better ways to isolate and use these cells for therapy in the future.
For these studies we will need donated healthy and suboptimal embryos as well as donated testicular biopsies from the IVF clinic. Neither the embryos nor the biopsy tissue are used without the patient’s consent. Further consent is required if stem cell lines are to be derived from the donated tissue. All the derived stem cell lines are donated to the UK stem cell bank.
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Page last updated: 19 March 2009