Human embryonic stem cell culture: current limitations and novel strategies

Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are multipotent cells isolated from blastocyst-stage preimplantation embryos. Since their first culture in 1998, human ESC have revolutionized reproductive and regenerative medicine by allowing the establishment of detailed molecular and therapeutic models for certain metabolic pathways and life-threatening disorders. They also offer significant contributions to genetics and pharmacology in designing and analysing disease models that can be closer to in vivo than any other procedures available. However, the procedures by which they are obtained and manipulated also create intense ethical and social debates worldwide. This article discusses the current limitations and recent advances in isolation, culture and differentiation of human ESC from the laboratory perspective.