| abstract |
The invention described herein relates to a method of isolating non-embryonic stem cells (eg, adult stem cells) from non-embryonic tissues (eg, adult tissues or organs). Thus, non-embryonic stem cells (eg, adult stem cells) isolated from various tissues or organs can indefinitely self-renew or proliferate in vitro, are pluripotent, and the stem cells are isolated. Can be differentiated into various differentiated cell types that are normally found in tissues or organs. In addition, the isolated stem cells are expanded by clonal expansion of the isolated single stem cells so that at least about 40%, 70%, or 90% or more of the cells in the clone are of single cell origin. Clones that can be further passaged as clones can be produced. |