Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells with universal potential for development

Stem cells can develop into any type of cell in an organism. This is called totipotency.

Generally speaking, if a cell is fully differentiated, it has taken on a certain role that cannot be reversed. Differentiated cells semi-permanantly switch off genes that are no longer needed.

Embryonic stem cells are harvested from embryos. In Germany, research on human embryonic stem cells is only permitted on imported stem cells lines that were harvested before January 1, 2002.