The science that studies the transplantation of organs and cells. Transplantation biologists investigate scientific questions to understand why foreign tissues and organs are rejected, the way transplanted organs function in the recipient, how this function can be maintained or improved, and how the organ to be transplanted should be handled to obt [..]

Implanted embryos in the early stages of development until the establishment of the body plan of a developed organism with identifiable tissues and organs.

The following is a glossary of some stem cell-related terms; click a specific word in the list below.  If a word is missing, contact ISSCR Scientific Affairs Manager, Carl Wonders

Stem cells found in different tissues of the developed, adult organism that remain in an undifferentiated, or unspecialized, state. These stem cells can give rise to specialized cell types of the tissue from which they came, i.e., a heart stem cell can give rise to a functional heart muscle cell, but it is still unclear whether they can give rise t [..]

Cell, tissue or organ transplants from one member of a species to a genetically different member of the same species.

Cell, tissue or organ transplants from one individual back to the same individual. Such transplants do not induce an immune response and are not rejected.

A very early embryo consisting of approximately 150 cells. The blastocyst is a spherical cell mass produced by cleavage of the zygote (fertilized egg). It contains a fluid-filled cavity, a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass (from which embryonic stem cells are derived) and an outer layer of cells called the trophoblast (that forms the plac [..]

Also known as mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow stromal cells are a mixed population of cells derived from the non-blood forming fraction of bone marrow. Bone marrow stromal cells are capable of growth and differentiation into a number of different cell types including bone, cartilage and fat.

Cells that can be maintained and grown in culture and display an immortal or indefinite life span.

A specific subset of cells within the body, defined by their appearance, location and function.