Glossary
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC)
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) — A heterogeneous stromal-cell category studied for properties such as differentiation and immunomodulatory signalling; identity and function are product-specific.
Open →Exosome
Exosome — A class of extracellular vesicle released by cells; a marketed preparation still requires product-specific characterisation, regulation and clinical evidence.
Open →GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) — A quality framework for applicable manufacturing activities; GMP status alone does not establish product authorisation, safety or efficacy.
Open →IRB / Ethics Approval
IRB / Ethics Approval — Review of a defined research protocol by an institutional review board or research ethics committee; it is not product approval or proof of efficacy.
Open →Autologous
Autologous — Cells taken from and returned to the same person.
Open →Allogeneic
Allogeneic — Donor cells (e.g. umbilical-cord) given to another person.
Open →Muse Cell
Muse Cell — A research-defined, stress-tolerant cell subpopulation; the label alone does not define a standardised clinical product or outcome.
Open →Wharton's Jelly
Wharton's Jelly — The connective tissue of the umbilical cord, from which different stromal or fibroblast-like preparations may be derived.
Open →Paracrine Effect
Paracrine Effect — Signalling in which molecules released by a cell influence nearby cells; a proposed mechanism is not proof of clinical benefit.
Open →Differentiation
Differentiation — The process by which a stem cell becomes a specialised cell type.
Open →Pluripotent
Pluripotent — Able to become almost any cell type in the body.
Open →Immunomodulation
Immunomodulation — Re-balancing an over- or under-active immune response.
Open →Cell Banking
Cell Banking — Controlled storage of cells or cell lines; identity, quality, authorisation and intended use must be verified separately.
Open →Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative Medicine — The field of repairing or replacing damaged cells, tissue and organs.
Open →Stem Cell Tourism
Stem Cell Tourism — Travelling abroad to access cell therapies not available or affordable at home.
Open →Neuro-inflammation
Neuro-inflammation — Inflammatory activity in nervous-system tissue; its measurement and clinical relevance depend on the disease and context.
Open →Intravenous (IV) Delivery
Intravenous (IV) Delivery — Infusion of cells into the bloodstream.
Open →Intrathecal Delivery
Intrathecal Delivery — Administration into the cerebrospinal-fluid space; risks, evidence and authorisation are product- and indication-specific.
Open →Placental MSC
Placental MSC — A mesenchymal stromal-cell preparation described as placental in origin; tissue compartment and manufacturing method must be specified.
Open →Chondrocyte
Chondrocyte — A specialised cartilage cell; authorised and investigational products must be assessed by exact product and indication.
Open →Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy — Use of mineral water, gases or mud within a defined supportive-care or rehabilitation programme.
Open →Climatotherapy
Climatotherapy — Use of environmental conditions within a supportive-care or rehabilitation plan; claims require condition-specific evidence.
Open →Growth Factor
Growth Factor — A signalling protein involved in cell behaviour; laboratory activity does not by itself establish clinical tissue repair.
Open →Umbilical-Cord Cells
Umbilical-Cord Cells — An imprecise label for cell preparations derived from cord blood or tissue; source, identity and processing must be specified.
Open →Potency
Potency — A measure of how strongly a cell preparation produces its intended biological effect.
Open →Cell Viability
Cell Viability — The proportion of living, functional cells in a preparation — a key quality metric.
Open →Cryopreservation
Cryopreservation — Freezing cells at ultra-low temperature to preserve them for later use.
Open →Cell Homing
Cell Homing — Migration or retention of cells in response to biological signals, studied mainly in experimental systems.
Open →Teratoma
Teratoma — A tumour containing tissues from more than one germ layer; residual pluripotent cells are a product-specific safety concern.
Open →Advanced Therapy (ATMP)
Advanced Therapy (ATMP) — The EU regulatory class covering gene, tissue and cell-based medicines.
Open →Informed Consent
Informed Consent — The documented process ensuring you understand benefits, risks and alternatives before treatment.
Open →Medical Tourism
Medical Tourism — Travelling abroad for medical care, usually for access, quality or cost.
Open →Browse glossary
- Advanced Therapy (ATMP)
- Allogeneic
- Autologous
- Balneotherapy
- Cell Banking
- Chondrocyte
- Climatotherapy
- Cryopreservation
- Differentiation
- Exosome
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- Growth Factor
- Cell Homing
- Immunomodulation
- Informed Consent
- Intrathecal Delivery
- Intravenous (IV) Delivery
- IRB / Ethics Approval
- Medical Tourism
- Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC)
- Muse Cell
- Neuro-inflammation
- Paracrine Effect
- Placental MSC
- Pluripotent
- Potency
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Tourism
- Teratoma
- Umbilical-Cord Cells
- Cell Viability
- Wharton's Jelly