There are two main types of stem cells:
- Embryonic Stem Cells (ECS)
- Adult Stem Cells (ASC)
Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are obtained from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst. They are capable of giving rise to all specific cell types derived from the three embryonic germ layers; ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.
Adult stem cells (ASC) are also referred to as tissue specific stem cells because each type of adult cell produces only a limited set of specialized cells germane to its natie tissue or organ. Adult stem cells have been identified throughout the body, including: bone marrow, brain, skin, heart, muscle, liver, teeth, peripheral blood and vessles.
