if stem cell can differentiate into any other cells, how do scientist manipulate them to differentiate into its desired products?
and why do we have to use stem cells from embryo and not other eg bone marrow?
Stem cells can be stimulated to differentiate into particular cell types by differntial culturing techniques. ( I don’t know any exact examples) But, if certain things are added a cell will differentiate into a Nerve cell versus a skin cell.
Embryonic stem cells are the only type of cell that is totipotent (it can differentiate into ANY cell type/tissue). Wheras bone marrow stem cells are pluipotent (can differentiate into a limited number of cell types) .. they can only differentiate into cells that compose blood cells (WBC,RBC, Stem cells) … a bone marrow stem cells thus cannot be cultured/indfluenced to differentiate into a nerve cell …
I believe that bone marrow cells are multipotent- they can only become a certain number of cell types. A multipotent cell can become any type of cell, but it can’t be used to reproduce an entire organism. A totipotent cell can produce any type cell, and can also be used to generate an entire organism. If I’m wrong, somebody please correct me.
But LilKim is right, stem cell differentiation is based on external influences on the cell itself.
