Differentiation potential is a critical aspect of stem cell characterization. It is assessed using:
1. In vitro Differentiation Assays: Stem cells are cultured under conditions that induce differentiation into specific lineages, and the resultant cell types are identified using histological and molecular techniques. 2. Teratoma Formation Assays: For pluripotent stem cells, their ability to form teratomas containing cell types from all three germ layers when injected into immunocompromised mice is a crucial test. 3. Histological Staining: Differentiated cells are stained with specific dyes to observe morphological changes and identify cell types.
