Stem cells - Dr Jekyll or Mr Hyde: Hans Clevers at TEDxAmsterdam

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Stem cells are the foundation of all mammalian life, including that of man. Every organ in our body harbors its own dedicated 'adult' stem cells. These adult stem cells replace tissue that is lost due to wear and tear, or after trauma and disease. Adult stem cells are highly specialized and can only produce the tissue in which they reside. Examples are bone marrow stem cells (that make all blood cells), skin stem cells and gut stem cells. Even the brain harbors its specialized stem cells. Adult stem cells are easily 'harvested' from donors and can be transplanted. The great danger of stem cells rests in the fact that they not only fuel tissue (re)generation, but also are the cells that most easily transform into cancer cells. State-of-the-art and future perspectives of stem cell research are discussed with a focus on gut stem cells and colon cancer.

Hans Clevers is the President of the Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and a world-renowned researcher into stem cells. From 1991-2002 Hans Clevers was Professor in Immunology at the University Utrecht and, since 2002, Professor in Molecular Genetics. From 2002-2012 he was director of the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht. He was the first scientist to identify intestinal stem cells and remains one of the leading researchers in this field. His discoveries have had significant impact in cancer as well as in regenerative therapy with stem cells and in vitro organ culture.

Hans Clevers is the recipient of several awards, including the Dutch Spinoza Award in 2001. He obtained an ERC Advanced Investigator grant in 2008. He is Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur since 2005 and Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion since 2012.

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