Definition
A ‘master’ cell that has the potential to give rise to all other cell types that make up the body.
Use in clinical context
Very early in embryo development, cells have the capacity to give rise to all cell types in the body. As development progresses, most cells become more specialised to particular tissues.
As these cells have the potential to become any type of cell, there is potential for them to applied in medicine, for example, to repair damaged tissue or grow new organs for transplant.
