IN-VITRO DIFFERENTIATION OF EMBRYONIC STEM-CELLS

Under appropriate conditions in culture, embryonic stem cells will dif ferentiate and form embryoid bodies that have been shown to contain ce lls of the hematopoietic, endothelial, muscle and neuronal lineages. M any aspects of the lineage-specific differentiation programs observed within the embryoid bodies reflect those found in the embryo, indicati ng that this model system provides access to early cell populations th at develop in a normal fashion. Recent studies involving the different iation of genetically altered embryonic stem cells highlight the poten tial of this in vitro differentiation system for defining the function of genes in early development.