PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S L Preston
AU  - M R Alison
AU  - S J Forbes
AU  - N C Direkze
AU  - R Poulsom
AU  - N A Wright
TI  - The new stem cell biology: something for everyone
AID  - 10.1136/mp.56.2.86
DP  - 2003 Apr 01
TA  - Molecular Pathology
PG  - 86--96
VI  - 56
IP  - 2
4099  - http://mp.bmj.com/content/56/2/86.short
4100  - http://mp.bmj.com/content/56/2/86.full
SO  - Mol Pathol2003 Apr 01; 56
AB  - The ability of multipotential adult stem cells to cross lineage boundaries (transdifferentiate) is currently causing heated debate in the scientific press. The proponents see adult stem cells as an attractive alternative to the use of embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine (the treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, etc). However, opponents have questioned the very existence of the process, claiming that cell fusion is responsible for the phenomenon. This review sets out to provide a critical evaluation of the current literature in the adult stem cell field.