Related topics: stem cells



Progenitor cell

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Like stem cells, progenitor cells have a capacity to differentiate into a specific type of cell. In contrast to stem cells, however, they are already far more specific: they are pushed to differentiate into their "target" cell. The most important difference between stem cells and progenitor cells is that stem cells can replicate indefinitely, whereas progenitor cells can only divide a limited number of times. Controversy about the exact definition remains and the concept is still evolving.

Despite the difficulty of defining progenitors, the term is frequently used in research. Thus, the importance of progenitors cannot be ignored.

The terms "progenitor cell" and "stem cell" are sometimes equated.

For more information about Progenitor cell, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with progenitor cells


New source discovered for the generation of nerve cells in the brain

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Dec 01, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (6) | comments 0

The research group of Professor Magdalena Gotz of Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munich (Germany) has made a significant advance in understanding regeneration processes in the brain. The researchers ...


Bone marrow cells may significantly reduce risk of second heart attack

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cells from heart attack survivors' own bone marrow reduced the risk of death or another heart attack when they were infused into the affected artery after successful stent placement, according to research reported in the ...





Search results for progenitor cells


New discovery about the formation of new brain cells

Medicine & Health / Research

created Nov 23, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

The generation of new nerve cells in the brain is regulated by a peptide known as C3a, which directly affects the stem cells' maturation into nerve cells and is also important for the migration of new nerve cells through ...


A new target for lymphoma therapy

A new target for lymphoma therapy

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 09, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers at the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Immune Disease Institute at Children's Hospital Boston (PCMM/IDI) have found a link between a common mutation that can lead to cancer and ...


Scientists identify strategies to protect new brain cells against Alzheimer's disease

Biology / Biotechnology

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Stimulating the growth of new neurons to replace those lost in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an intriguing therapeutic possibility. But will the factors that cause AD allow the new neurons to thrive and function normally? Scientists ...



List of search results for progenitor cells