Stem cells

Question 1

Characterize the pluripotent embryonic stem cells including their major markers! Which three transcription factors have a critical role on maintenance of embryonic stem cell pluripotent state? How do these factors exert their effects on maintenance of pluripotency?

Answer 1

• Brief definition of totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, progenitor and terminally differentiated human cells
• Characterization: see Lecture notes, 3. Capturing pluripotency: Molecular features of embryonic stem cells.
• Major transcription factors and their effects: see Lecture notes, 3. Capturing pluripotency: Molecular features of embryonic stem cells. pages 9-10.

Question 2

Describe the functional assays which can be used to characterize the pluripotency of the embryonic stem cells!

Answer 2

• Functional tests: In vitro differentiation (embryoid body formation), in vivo diff. (teratoma assay), blastocyst injection (producing chimeric animal), Germline transmission, Tetraploid complementation

Question 3

What are iPS cells? Which transcription factors are needed to generate them? Describe the potential role of the human iPS cells on regenerative medicine and disease modeling!

Answer 3

• See Lecture Notes, 5. Transcription factor induced pluripotent stem cells
• See Lecture Notes, 6. Biochemical mechanisms of cellular reprogramming
• See Lecture Notes, 7. Applications of pluripotent stem cells