---
title: "What is the difference between embryonic stem cells and iPS cells?"
url: "https://worldwiki.io/q/what-is-the-difference-between-embryonic-stem-cells-and-ips-cells"
type: "question"
language: "en"
intent: "informational"
entity: "Stem Cell"
topic: "Stem Cell Treatment"
published: "2026-09-18 07:10:23"
updated: "2026-10-08 09:18:06"
---

# What is the difference between embryonic stem cells and iPS cells?

## Short answer

Both can form all three embryonic germ layers. They differ in where they come from. Embryonic stem cells are taken from early embryos (blastocysts); human lines were first reported in 1998. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are made by adding a small set of genes to mature cells, a method first shown in mouse cells in 2006. iPS cells avoid using embryos and can be made from a patient's own cells for disease research.

## Answer

The 2012 Nobel Prize recognised the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent [4]. [3]

### Stem cells in cosmetic surgery

In cosmetic surgery, "stem cell" procedures almost always use [adipose-derived stem cells](/entity/adipose-derived-stem-cell). The stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which contains them, is separated from liposuctioned fat and mixed into the fat being grafted, as in [stem cell breast augmentation](/entity/stem-cell-breast-augmentation) and [stem cell fat grafting](/entity/stem-cell-fat-grafting).

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## Sources

1. [Stem Cells](https://medlineplus.gov/stemcells.html) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/165
2. [NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: stem cell](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/stem-cell) — National Cancer Institute (NCI) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/12
3. [Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Blastocysts (Thomson et al., Science 282:1145–1147)](https://courses.grainger.illinois.edu/bioe476/fa2019/paper%20readings/thomson_science_1998.pdf) — Science (AAAS); course copy hosted by University of Illinois · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/166
4. [Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 awarded for discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121008082955.htm) — ScienceDaily (Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet release) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/167
5. [Stem Cell Transplants in Cancer Treatment](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/stem-cell-transplant) — National Cancer Institute · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/168
6. [Holoclar – EPAR](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/holoclar) — European Medicines Agency · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/115
7. [Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine Therapies](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/important-patient-and-consumer-information-about-regenerative-medicine-therapies) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/96
8. [Stem Cell Resources for Patients](https://www.isscr.org/patients) — International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/99
9. [규제 완화 3년 허가 0건...안풀리는 줄기세포치료제](https://www.dailypharm.com/user/news/77880) — 데일리팜 (Dailypharm) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/169
10. [첨단재생의료 및 첨단바이오의약품 안전 및 지원에 관한 법률의 개정 및 시행과 그 시사점](https://www.shinkim.com/kor/media/newsletter/2728) — 법무법인(유) 세종 · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/94
11. [A Comparative Analysis of the Advances in Stem Cell Therapy in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review of Current Applications and Future Directions](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11404395/) — Cureus (via PubMed Central) · evidence page: https://worldwiki.io/source/170