RSS Subscribe to our news feed

FAQ's

We hear so much about stem cells but what are they and how are they being used in the laboratory and the clinic? To find out more about stem cells click on the following frequently asked questions. You might also like to visit our video library to see interviews with experts talking about stem cells.
  • What are embryonic stem cells or ES cells?
    First discovered in 1998, human embryonic stem cells (or ES cells) are the most primitive type of stem cell and can generate every type of cell in the human body. This remarkable ability has seen these stem cells used extensively by researchers around the world.
  • What are induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells?
    The recent discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been celebrated by scientists, ethicists and politicians as a way to produce pluripotent stem cells without the need to use eggs or embryos. But what are these cells and do we have all the answers yet?
  • What are umbilical cord stem cells?
    Umbilical cord blood collected at birth is a rich source of stem cells that can be used in research and in the clinic to treat diseases of the blood and immune system.
  • What has cloning got to do with stem cell research?
    Everyone has probably heard about Dolly the sheep and how she was made using cloning techniques. But what has cloning got to do with stem cell research?