Stem Cells 101

Stem cells are unique in that they have both the ability to self-renew (make more of the same kind of stem cell) and to differentiate into a more specialized cell type. There are different types of stem cells. Yale investigators work are many different types of adult and embryonic stem cells. Examples of adult stem cells include blood stem cells, which reside in the bone marrow where they produce all of our red blood cells and white blood cells, and neural stem cells, which make new neurons. Stem cell research includes studies to determine their basic function and how they can be used in the clinic to aid in tissue repair and regeneration.

For more information about stem cells, see the resources below.

• Stem Book
• Stem Book is an open access collection of invited, original, peer-reviewed chapters covering a range of topics related to stem cell biology written by top researchers in the field at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and worldwide. Stem Book is aimed at stem cell and non-specialist researchers. It can be accessed at: http://www.stembook.org.
• NIH
  The National Institutes of Health is an extensive resource on the basics of human stem cells. Information can be found at: https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics.
• ISSCR
  A downloadable brochure on Stem Cell Facts can be obtained for free from the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) at: https://www.isscr.org/stem-cell-reports.
• State of Connecticut
  Connecticut was fortunate to be one of the first three states in the nation to pass legislature to use public funding to support human embryonic and adult stem cell research. More information about the Grants-in-aid program can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Stem-Cell/Stem-Cell-Research-Program---About-CTs-Program.