stem cell

noun, Cell Biology
1.
a cell that upon division replaces its own numbers and also gives rise to cells that differentiate further into one or more specialized types, as various B cells and T cells.
Origin
1880-85
Examples from the web for stem cell
  • One solution for such patients might be a stem cell bank.
  • More and more, modern science and medicine is and will be the province of the stem cell.
  • Patients with various diseases and put a human face on the swirling debate surrounding stem cell research.
  • Whether you think stem cell research is immoral or not, this little trope needs to be dealt with.
  • Being able to take one type of cell and turn it into another would be a great boon to patient-specific stem cell therapies.
  • However, many researchers have found it difficult to direct every stem cell in a culture to form a specific type of cell.
  • US stem cell researchers fight with uncertain financing and esoteric restrictions.
  • And then you'll do skin, and then you'll do every other stem cell you can get.
  • He received a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor.
  • stem cell research is a mainstream position, not a far left position.
British Dictionary definitions for stem cell

stem cell

noun
1.
(histology) an undifferentiated cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood cells
stem cell in Medicine

stem cell n.
An unspecialized cell that gives rise to a specific specialized cell, such as a blood cell.

stem cell in Science
stem cell  
An unspecialized cell found in fetuses, embryos, and some adult body tissues that has the potential to develop into specialized cells or divide into other stem cells. Stem cells from fetuses or embryos can develop into any type of differentiated cells, while those found in mature tissues develop only into specific cells. Stem cells can potentially be used to replace tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury, but the use of embryonic stem cells for this purpose is controversial. Also called progenitor cell.
stem cell in Culture

stem cell definition


A cell from which a variety of other cells can develop through the process of cellular differentiation. Stem cells can produce only a certain group of cells (as with skin stem cells) or any cell in the body (as with embryonic stem cells).

Note: A major controversy involves the question of whether nonembryonic stem cells should be used for medical purposes.