Adult, or somatic, stem cells are multipotent or tissue-specific stem cells found in various tissues and organs throughout the body. Unlike embryonic stem cells, they are more limited in their differentiation potential and typically give rise to the cell types associated with their specific tissue or organ. For example, hematopoietic stem cells give rise to the cells of the blood system, and neural stem cells give rise to cells of the nervous system.
This entry was provided by the doctoral students of the GetRADI collaborative network. GetRADI is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.