Figure 1From: Embryonic stem cell differentiation: A chromatin perspectiveStem cell therapy viewed from the standpoint of developmental biology. Early mammalian embryonic development involves a series of rapid symmetric cell divisions leading to morula formation. Subsequently, blastocyst-stage embryos form with two cell-types: the trophectoderm (TE), which develops into the embryonic portion of the placenta, and the inner cell mass (ICM), which develops into the embryo proper. Immortal embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the ICM, and retain developmental totipotency. In vitro differentiation protocols yield a variety of unique cell-types that are potentially useful as clinical transplantation materials.Back to article page