Abstract
Research in human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), is one of the most dynamic research fields. Despite the high public attention, especially for hESC research, there is only scattered information on the number of hESC lines and the degree, dynamics, and diversification of their use on a global level. In this study we present data on the current number of publicly disclosed hESC lines, on the extent and impact of experimental work involving hESCs, and on the use of specific hESC lines in international research. The results are based on the evaluation of nearly 1,000 research papers published by the end of 2008, which describe experimental work on hESCs, and of a comprehensive database of published hESC lines. The average impact of hESC research papers is high at 7.422, with a predominance of research output by the United States. Of at least 1,071 original hESC lines derived up to November 2009 at 87 institutions in 24 countries, only a fraction is thoroughly characterized. Our data show the global predominance of a few hESC lines in research, but also reveal remarkable country-specific differences. Comparison of hESC and hiPSC application did not show a diminished role for hESC research, but rather revealed that, up to this time, both fields continue to expand, exist independently, and partially overlap. Stem Cells 2010;28:240–246
Highlights
Research with human embryonic stem cell lines has attracted increasing attention over the last decade because these cells have the capability to proliferate indefinitely and to differentiate into any cell type of the body
The number of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) lines reported in the scientific literature has markwww.StemCells.com edly increased since 2005, when only 171 of 414 known hESC lines were reported in the scientific literature (2). hESC lines not published in scientific journals to date comprise, for example, cell lines derived recently (e.g., 20 hESC lines from France and 17 lines from Denmark listed in hESCreg, the hESC registry of the European Union, as well as 68 lines in the United States, announced recently by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)) and many cell lines derived at the Reproductive Genetics Institute in Chicago and distributed by Stemride International Limited
We found evidence for at least 1,071 original hESC lines, a large portion of which has been reported in the scientific literature so far
Summary
Research with human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines has attracted increasing attention over the last decade because these cells have the capability to proliferate indefinitely and to differentiate into any cell type of the body. We have determined the number of hESC cell lines and quantified the extent of experimental research involving hESCs [2], but since hESC research has further intensified and spread into many more countries. The release of new National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines on research involving hESCs in the United States (http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines.htm) has evoked much interest in the question of how many cell lines are available worldwide. There are no data that elucidate whether there is a preferential use of certain cell lines in different countries. We have determined the number of hESC lines and analyzed the scale of hESC research on a global level, including the use of specific hESC lines. Our studies are based on the analysis of a databank of hESC lines that was previously described [2, 8] and has been updated regularly up to November 2009, as well as on the evaluation of nearly 1,000 research papers describing experimental work on hESCs up to the end of 2008
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