In Vivo Stem Cell Study Assays

Stem cells are generally defined in terms of their functional nature; hence, functional assays are an integral part of stem cell studies. The major objective of these assays performed in vivo is to prove the multipotential ability of stem cells in the generation of fully differentiated tissues. In addition, the self-renewal capacities of stem cells are also exhibited through these studies, wherein stem cells are able to reconstitute in vivo cells similar in potency and phenotypic characteristics to those of the explanted cells.

A number of important issues are kept in mind while designing such in vivo assays. For example, in order to functionally identify pluripotent reprogrammed or embryonic stem cells, the crucial requirements include germline transmission, chimera generation, and teratoma formation. Long-term serial transplantations are ...