Stem Cells: The Fat Source Makes the Difference

June 19, 2014

(Nanowerk) – Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a natural ability to differentiate into various cell types, such as muscle, cartilage and bone. They can be classified according to their source and include adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs). ASCs, in particular, hold tremendous potential for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine because of their relatively high abundance and ease of isolation. Shigeki Sugii at the A*STAR Singapore Bioimaging Consortium and co-workers have now isolated ASCs from two different sources of fat: subcutaneous fat found underneath the skin and visceral fat from inside the abdominal cavity.