14 February 2012
Start with Heart
The life of a stem cell is not unlike a new romance, a clean slate from which any number of possible endpoints can result. Above you can see a colony of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) at the start of their developmental journey (each coloured blob is a nucleus). Scientists use genetic markers to help them decipher where a stem cell is at on the road to maturity. Early-stages are evinced by genes including OCT4 (red/pink stain) and TRA 1 81 (stained green). As a stem cell matures, parts of its genome [entire set of genes] get locked down, so the proteins they encode are not formed. Genes in ‘open’ regions of the genome are left to make the proteins that give a cell its individual character and job, whether in your brain or big toe. Elucidating mechanisms that support healthy development helps us understand cancer.
Written by
- Charlie Arber
- MRC Clinical Sciences Centre
- Courtesy of Meng Li
Search The Archive
Submit An Image
Like us on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Tumblr
Follow on Instagram
What is BPoD?
BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.
BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.