Embryonic stem cell technology: applications and uses in functional genomic studies.

In this postgenomic era, the role of functional genomics is becoming increasingly important and playing a key role in this field are embryonic stem cells. These cells are capable of proliferating indefinitely in a pluripotent state and have the potential to differentiate into all somatic cell types. Through a combination of their ease of genetic manipulation and directed in vitro differentiation they have proved themselves to be an extremely valuable tool in functional genomics. Here, some of their applications in functional genomic studies are discussed.