不同小组的许多研究，从实验室小鼠的畸胎癌开始，后来转移到相应的人类肿瘤，为人类多能干细胞（PSC）的分离和描述做出了贡献。在这篇综述中，我强调了我自己的研究的贡献，特别是 20 世纪 80 年代在 Wistar 研究所的研究，当时我们与同事一起鉴定了第一个多能人类胚胎癌 (EC) 细胞克隆系，即畸胎癌干细胞，并确定了包括细胞表面抗原标记在内的关键特征，这些特征已在人类 PSC 的研究和开发中占有一席之地。这项研究很大程度上依赖于与其他实验室同事的密切团队合作，他们贡献了不同的专业知识和经验。它也常常是由环境和机会驱动的，而不是追求宏伟的设计。© 2024 作者。 BioEssays 由 Wiley periodicals LLC 出版。

Many strands of research by different groups, starting from teratocarcinomas in the laboratory mouse, later moving the corresponding human tumors, contributed to the isolation and description of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). In this review, I highlight the contributions from my own research, particularly at the Wistar Institute during the 1980s, when with my colleagues we characterized one of the first clonal lines of pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, the stem cells of teratocarcinomas, and identified key features including cell surface antigen markers that have since found a place in the study and exploitation of human PSC. Much of this research depended upon close teamwork with colleagues, many in other laboratories, who contributed different expertise and experience. It was also often driven by circumstance and chance rather than pursuit of a grand design.© 2024 The Author(s). BioEssays published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.