USTVARJANJE LINIJE MULTIPOTENTNIH / PLURIPOTENTNIH MATIČNIH CELIC IZ ODRASLEGA HUMANEGA TKIVA JAJČNIKA IN MOD: PERSPEKTIVA ZA REPRODUKTIVNO IN REGENERATIVNO MEDICINO. (Slovene)

The majority of research work in the frame of this research project was pioneering at the international level. Our work showed that two different populations of stem cells can be isolated from adult human reproductive tissues, ovaries and testicles, by the same methodology: mesenchymal stem cells, which express a specific pattern of multipotency and especially - a population of small stem cells with diameters of up to 4 micrometers, which express a degree of pluripotency. These stem cells can be proliferated and cultured in the lab for several months. It is possible to differentiate them into other types of cells of all three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm) by appropriate differentiation protocols therefore these cells are very interesting for reproductive medicine to regenerate the reproductive organs and for regenerative medicine to treat the degenerative diseases. The results of our work published in the international scientific literature can encourage other researchers into this kind of research, which may answer some questions in the basic science and lead into the clinical application in the future. In general, it is still accepted that stem cells do not exist in adult human ovaries and that the number of follicles at the time of birth is finite.

The research project was extremely important for Slovenia because: - there is otherwise a lack of stem cell research, - it brought new methodology and knowledge on stem cells, which will be useful in the future, - it increased the impact and reputation of our country due to our several publications in the scientific literature, - it connected different Slovenian research groups, which will also collaborate in the future, - it enabled the further international collaboration, - excellent young researchers were educated who will continue with stem cell research in the future.