Derivation of Embryonic Stem-Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts

Embryonic stem cells have the unique ability to form all adult cell types. Harnessing this potential may provide a source of cells to replace those that are lost or impaired as a result of disease. Moreover, the derivation of human embryonic stem cells opens a unique window into the study of early human development. At present, approximately 15 human embryonic stem-cell lines are publicly available, and they vary considerably in their usefulness for research and the extent of their characterization (see http://stemcells.nih.gov/registry/index.asp). To promote further research with human embryonic stem cells, we sought to derive and characterize more fully cell lines that meet strict criteria for ease of…

• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• BA
  Brigham and Women's Hospital
• HU
  Harvard University