Genetic profile of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) grown under different O2 concentrations

The development of mammalian embryos during the early stages takes place in a hypoxic environment. After 11 weeks of pregnancy the mother’s blood begins to flow freely in the placental space increasing the partial pressure of oxygen [1-3]. Therefore, we hypothesized that in vitro growth of hESC in normoxic conditions (21% O2) may change the profile and differentiation potential of hESC.