Scientists discover stage at which an embryonic cell is fated to become a stem cell: Findings have important implications for stem-cell research

Source: University of Cambridge
Date: January 10, 2007

Summary:

Cambridge scientists have discovered the stage at which some of the cells of a fertilised mammalian egg are fated to develop into stem cells and why this occurs. The findings of the study, which overturn the long-held belief that cells are the same until the fourth cleavage (division) of the embryo, are reported in today's edition of Nature.