Abstract
Stem cell research is a promising and markedly emerging area of investigation concerning basic and clinical research. Since the 50s, the understanding that undifferentiated cells are able to originate different cell types held great promise for regenerative medicine, making until today this field to one of intense and growing research. The possibility to artificially replace damaged tissue unlocked new possibilities for clinical treatment of so far incurable diseases. This chapter highlights basic concepts about stem cells, as well as their current and potential future applications. Moreover, it brings an overview of important historical facts of the path taken by science to get to the current status of this research field.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by research grants from Brazilian funding agencies Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP; Proc. No. 2012/50880-4, 2015/13345-1), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq; Proc. No. 467465/2014-2, 141979/2014-3, 403745/2014-4), and Provost’s Office for Research of the University of Sao Paulo, Grant number: 2011.1.9333.1.3 (NAPNA-USP), Brazil.
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Oliveira, Á., Corrêa-Velloso, J.d.C., Glaser, T., Ulrich, H. (2016). Stem Cells: Principles and Applications. In: Working with Stem Cells. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30582-0_1
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