Humane embryonale stamceller: potentiale og aktuelle udfordringer

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are regarded as the cornerstone of future treatment of a wide range of cellular degenerative disorders. hESCs are characterized by their pluripotency, i.e. their ability to differentiate into a wide range of cell types in the adult human body, including insulin-producing beta-cells, cardiomyocytes and neurons. Implementation in clinical settings, however, requires extensive safety studies and a solution to immunogenic issues in particular. Nonetheless, the potential outcome of regenerative medicine is likely to open avenues for treating many illnesses which today can only be treated with moderate success, if at all.