Stem Cell Timeline

"Stem Cell" Only Scientific Fiction

1868

The term "stem cell" emerges in scientific literature, describing a zygote and describing the organism that acted as the ancestor cell to all living things.

(Image 15)

Alexander Maximow

1909

Russian academic, Alexander Maximow, theorizes at the Berlin Hematological Society that all blood cells come from the same ancestor cell, illustrating the idea that blood stem cells are multipotent.

(Image 16)

Leroy Stevens

1953

Maine scientist, Leroy Stevens, discovers pluripotent cells while researching cancer cells and tumors in mice.

(Image 17)

Ernest McCulloch & James Till

1957

Canadian scientists, Ernest McCulloch and James Till discover the first pieces of evidence of blood stem cells while performing experiments on the bone marrow of mice.

(Image 18)

Martin Evans & Gail Martin

1981

Two scientists, Martin Evans from the University of Cambridge and Gail Martin from the University of California, derive pluripotent cells from the embryos of mice, the first embryonic stem cells to be isolated.

(Image 19)

Dominique Bonnet & John Dick

1997

Canadians Dominique Bonnet and John Dick discover that leukemia comes from the same stem cells that constitute our blood cells, proving that cancer grows from abnormal stem cells.

(Image 20)

University of Wisconsin

1998

A University of Wisconsin team creates the first batch of human embryonic stem cells, which they acquired from early embryos. Being pluripotent, the team discovers the potential of the cells in drug discovery and transplantation medicine.

(Image 21)

George W. Bush supports Stem Cell Research

2001

President George W. Bush signs an order supporting the use of federal funds for research on human embryonic stem cells.

(Image 22)

Shinya Yamanaka & Kazutoshi Takahashi

2006

Japanese scientists Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi announce the discovery of rodent induced pluripotent cells.

(Image 23)

Boston Children's Hospital Stem Cell Disease Treatment

2008

The Stem Cell Program at Boston Children's Hospital announces the creation of 10 disease-specific lines of iPS cells, helping scientists find innovative ways to understand, prevent and treat different diseases.

(Image 24,25)