Anatomy of the Skin The skin is composed of three layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is primarily composed of keratinocytes,…
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Chondrogenic Differentiation Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells found in certain tissues, such as the bone marrow and fat. They have the capacity to differentiate…
Smooth Muscle Cells and Phenotypic Switching Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are contractile cells found in various organs including the prostate, bladder, and uterus. In particular, SMCs that are located in…
Endothelial and Cardiac Cells The cardiovascular system is operated by the heart and blood vessels, or vasculature. The heart is a muscular organ that provides the force to pump the…
Prostate Cancer and the Search for New Biomarkers The prostate is part of the male reproductive system, responsible for making and secreting part of the seminal fluid, which supports the…
The Airway: More Than Just Oxygen Exchange When air is inhaled, it travels through the airway to the lungs, where the oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide. A single layer…
The Eye: Our Window to the World The eye is one of the major sensory organs, allowing us to see the world around us. When light hits the eye, it…
The Skin: A Multi-Cellular Barrier to the External World The skin is a multi-layered organ that covers the entire body and protects us from the external environment. The outermost layer,…
Smooth Muscle Cells: Regulators of Organ Contraction Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are found in the walls of various organs, including the uterus, bladder, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and more. They…
Large Vessel Endothelial Cells Large vessel endothelial cells are found in arteries and veins and comprise the innermost layer of the vessel, forming a lining that separates the contents of…
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Multipotent Progenitors of Bone, Fat, and Cartilage Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stem cells that can be found in the bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord.…
Prostate Cancer and Screening Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer type and second most common cause of cancer-related death in American men. Most prostate cancers are of epithelial…
We’re halfway through 2018, which means it’s time for our bi-annual review. Every six months, we look back and review the research we have covered here on the blog, highlighting…
Epithelial cells line many of the hollow organs in our bodies. A single layer of epithelium is composed of tightly packed individual epithelial cells that are connected to each other…
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Phenotype Switching Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are specialized cell types found in the walls of many organs, including the stomach, small and large intestines, bladder,…
The Multiple Layers and Cell Types of the Skin The skin is the ultimate barrier to the external environment, with a coverage area of the entire body. To perform its…
Endothelial Cells: Regulators of Vessel Homeostasis and Angiogenesis Endothelial cells line the blood vessels of the circulatory system and play major roles in cardiovascular homeostasis. Through extensive crosstalk with the…
Mammary Gland Development The mammary gland is derived from the ectoderm, the outer layer of the embryo, and is formed into a series of ducts from which milk is produced.…
The Excretory System: Waste Removal Experts Waste is removed from the body through an elegant filtration system that begins in the kidneys. The renal artery delivers blood to the kidneys,…
Now Available from Lifeline®: Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells! The human female reproductive system is responsible for the development of eggs (the female gametes) the production of hormones (progesterone and estrogen),…
