Stem Cell Plasticity

Plasticity refers to the capacity of stem cells to exhibit a phenotypic potential that extends beyond the differentiated cell phenotypes of their resident tissue, that is, their ability to turn into tissues other than the one from which they are derived. Researchers around the world are recognizing the plasticity of stem cells and are formulating new ways to control and direct them into different types of cells and tissues using external stimuli and cell markers to identify these cells at different stages of divisions. These cells are used to repair damaged and injured tissues and organs, to further cancer research, and to play a possible role in gene therapy.

Stem cells are a class of biological cells that are found in all multicellular organisms. They are ...