Stem Cells Glossary | Stem Cells Australia | Stem cell glossary | Stem Cells Australia
Stem cell glossary
Still confused about the meaning of commonly used terms in stem cell research? Visit our glossary to find out more.
Adult stem cell
An unspecialised stem cell found in a tissue or organ that can renew itself and differentiate to develop mainly into the cell types of the tissue from which it originated. Also called a tissue stem cell.
Allogeneic transplantation
Cell, tissue, or organ transplants from one individual to a genetically different person (ie a transplant that comes from a donor).
Autologous transplantation
Cell, tissue, or organ transplants from one individual back into the same individual (ie involves your own cells). Such transplants are often performed with blood products or bone marrow, do not produce an immune response, and are not rejected.
Blastocyst
An early stage embryo about seven days following fertilisation and containing about 150 cells. A blastocyst consists of two types of cells: the inner cell mass cells, which gives rise to all the organs and tissues of a future embryo and foetus; and the trophoblast which forms a portion of the placenta. Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of donated IVF embryos.
Cell culture
The growth of cells in a laboratory where nutrients, growth factors, and all other requirements for cell survival are provided.
Cell division
The process by which one cell divides into two cells, thereby increasing the cell population.
Cell-based therapies
A treatment that administers cells required to repair or rebuild depleted cell populations or tissues. These may include cells derived from stem cells.
Differentiation
The process whereby an unspecialised (undifferentiated) stem cell develops into specialised cells such as those in the liver, brain, or heart.
Embryo
An embryo is a stage of development immediately following fertilisation of an egg by a sperm. Stages of embryonic development can be divided into pre-implantation (early development before pregnancy is established) and post-implantation.
Embryonic stem cell
Are stem cells derived from human embryos (at the blastocyst stage). Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are self-renewing (can replicate themselves) and have the potential to differentiate into all cell types in the body.
Fetal stem cell
These are stem cells derived from donated fetal tissue and are a type of tissue stem cell.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices and veterinary products.
Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC)
The parent stem cell or ‘precursor’ of mature blood cells which are found in adult bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and fetal liver.
Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC or Ethics Committee)
Human Research Ethics Committees assist Australian institutions in meeting their obligation for the effective governance of research involving humans and is the Australian equivalent of an Institutional Review Board, or Research Ethics Board in the USA.
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)
Stem cells which resemble pluripotent embryonic stem cells. They are derived from mature, fully differentiated cells of the body that have been reprogrammed through genetic manipulation and other techniques to restore developmental potential.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
IVF is an assisted reproduction technique where fertilisation is achieved outside the body. Sperm and eggs are brought together in the laboratory (i.e. in vitro) to achieve fertilisation before being transferred to the uterus (or womb) to attempt to achieve a pregnancy.
Mesenchymal stem or stromal cell (MSCs)
A type of adult stem cell found in several tissues of the body including bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, placenta and adipose tissue which can give rise to a number of tissue types such as bone, cartilage, fat tissue, and connective tissue, as well as display immunosuppressive properties.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The NHMRC is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research, for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments; and for providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research.
Peer review
Peer review is the process of subjecting an author's scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field.
Pluripotent
The ability of a stem cell to develop into all types of cells in the body. ESCs and iPS cells are examples of pluripotent stem cells.
Progenitor cells
A progenitor cell is a transitional form of stem cell that can differentiate, but can no longer renew itself. Progenitor cells are restricted to the generation of a few types of specialised cells.
Regenerative Medicine
A treatment in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into a specific cell type required to repair damaged tissues or to replenish a depleted cell population. They are then used to treat disease.
Stem cell
An unspecialised or undifferentiated cell with the ability to self-renew, and to differentiate to produce specialised cell types in the body.
Stem cell line
Stem cells that have been established and propagated in culture and which maintained consistent characteristics and developmental potential.
Tissue stem cell
An unspecialised stem cell found in a tissue or organ that can renew itself and differentiate to develop into mainly the cell types of the tissue from which it originated. Also referred to as an adult stem cell.
Therapeutic Goods Administration
The TGA is Australia's regulatory authority for therapeutic goods. They carry out a range of assessment and monitoring activities to ensure therapeutic goods available in Australia are of an acceptable standard with the aim of ensuring that the Australian community has access, within a reasonable time, to therapeutic advances. The TGA is the equivalent of the USA FDA.