Pluripotent
Pluripotent refers to a type of stem cell that has the ability to develop into almost any cell type in the body. These cells can give rise to all three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, which means they can form tissues such as skin, muscle, and organs. Pluripotent stem cells are crucial for research and potential therapies in regenerative medicine.
One well-known source of pluripotent cells is embryonic stem cells, which are derived from early-stage embryos. Another type is induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are created by reprogramming adult cells to regain their pluripotent capabilities. Both types hold great promise for understanding diseases and developing new treatments.