pluripotent

adjective plu·rip·o·tent \ plu̇-ˈri-pə-tənt \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of pluripotent

: not fixed as to developmental potentialities; especially : capable of differentiating into one of many cell types

pluripotent stem cells

Recent Examples of pluripotent from the Web

Theoretically, this can be done by turning frozen rhino cells into cells that can transform into any cell of the body, called pluripotent stem cells.

— alessandra potenza, The Verge, "Inside the high-tech plot to save the northern white rhino from extinction," 6 Apr. 2018
The usual method for making these cells, called induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, is to reprogram them by inserting four genes carried by viruses.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Antibody-created stem cells may have superior properties," 11 Sep. 2017
Induced pluripotent stem cells do not carry the ethical objection many have to using human embryonic stem cells.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Antibody-created stem cells may have superior properties," 11 Sep. 2017
Reprogrammed cells Both studies used artificial embryonic stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS).

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Brain cell replacement for Parkinson's boosted by monkey study," 30 Aug. 2017
Other researchers grew organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells, which resemble embryonic stem cells but are grown from adult cells.

— gunjan sinha, Science | AAAS, "This scientist is building miniature guts, livers, and lungs that could save your life one day," 23 Aug. 2017
By introducing changes in pluripotent stem cells, researchers can also alter the epigenetic profile expressed in them and the adult cells derived from them.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Second genetic code' edited in stem cells to study disease-causing changes," 4 May 2017
While immune-matching can be achieved through patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, this process takes time and is costly.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Skin regeneration, universal donor stem cells and new SMA treatment approach," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pluripotent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pluripotent

Latin plur-, plus more + English potent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1916

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

pluripotent

adjective plu·rip·o·tent \ plu̇-ˈrip-ət-ənt \

medical Definition of pluripotent

1 : not fixed as to developmental potentialities; especially : capable of differentiating into one of many cell types

pluripotent stem cells

2 : capable of having more than one effect

pluripotent activity

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pluripotent

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pluripotent

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