Pluripotent Stem Cells Morphology

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have similar morphologies. Pluripotent stem cells exhibit spherical, undifferentiated cell morphology with smooth membrane surfaces. They grow in tightly packed colonies that exhibit a high nucleus/cytoplasm ratio with prominent nuclei and well-defined edges.

Two merged images labeled from left to right as A and B. Image A shows the pluripotent stem cells growing in a feeder-free culture. Small circular bodies are present in the middle of the image and are surrounded by nothing. Image B shows the pluripotent cells growing in a feeder-dependent culture. Small circular bodies are in the center of the image surrounded by larger and elongated bodies.

Figure 1: Pluripotent stem cells growing in a feeder-free culture (A) and in a feeder-dependent culture (B).

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Stem Cells