- Stem cells are the body's "Master Cells". They are the building blocks of organs, tissues, blood, and the immune system.
- Other types of stem cells in the body have a limited lifespan and die after dividing their endowed number of times, but a stem cell can reproduce forever.
- Stem Cells have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. In many tissues, they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing constantly to replenish lost or damaged cells.
- There are three main types of stem cells: Adult Stem Cells (ASC), Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC-Not recommended by RSCI), and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs).
- In tissues such as bone and muscle, Adult Stem Cells (ASC) can generate replacements for cells that are lost through injury, disease, or normal wear and tear. Adult Stem Cells are sometimes referred to as "Somatic Stem Cells".
Source: National Stem Cell Foundation
