Autologous Precursor Stemcells - Glossary

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

STEM CELL is a cell from the fetus, embryo or adult that has the ability to self-reproduce for long periods it gives rise to specialized cells of tissue and organs of the body.


ALLOTRANSPLANTATION is the implantation of cells, tissues or organs within the species, e.g. from man to man or rabbit to rabbit.


BLASTOCYST is a pre-implantation of 30-150 cells in an embryo.


DIFFERENTATION is the process where an unspecialized cell, e.g. stem cells, becomes specialized into an individual of about 200 cell types that make up the body.

AUTOLOGOUS PRECURSOR STEM CELL occurs in tissues and is partially differentiated. It separates and gives rise to a specialized cell of the tissue of origin. It replaces damaged or dead cells and maintains the integrity and function of the tissue of origin. It ‘homes’ to the tissue of origin.


EMBRYONIC STEM CELL is obtained from the blastocyst of an embryo tissue. It proliferates indefinitely and remains in an uncommitted state until signal for further development. Embryonic stem cells have abnormal shape of chromosomes and number. This is not part of our research & application.


HOMING is a process where a transplanted cell will attract and travel to an injured site within the tissue of origin.


IMMUNOGENICITY is the production of the immune response.