Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are self-renewing, pluripotent cells that serve as a valuable research tool and hold promise for use in regenerative medicine. Most hESC lines are derived from cryopreserved human embryos that were created during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and are in excess of clinical need. Embryos that are discarded during the IVF procedure are also a viable source of hESCs. hESCs can be derived from pre-blastocyst embryos and even from single blastomeres. However, hESC line derivation efficiency is greatest using embryos that have reached the blastocyst stage. This chapter describes a protocol for the derivation of pluripotent stem cell lines from human embryos.
