Biosciences in the 21st Century
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Skin Stem Cell

Ode to a Skin Stem Cell
Part I

by Vassie C. Ware, Ph.D.
November 5, 2007
©2007

There once was a stem cell stuck in skin BULGE 'hood'
Living quietly, undisturbed, but wishing he could
Become something else—a nail, a hair, or some other type.
Yet for weeks and weeks, he sulked and uttered this gripe:
"Why am I not needed?" to his friends he would say.
"Isn't there a wound somewhere, a hair to replace today?"
Well, if you really want to move up and out, or down as well,
You must change your tune, for we are here to tell.
If you would just stop listening to your friends TGFß and BMP
You surely could divide and leave the hood, for the world to see
That you Wnt on to become a hair, in all of your glee!

 

Ode to a Stem Cell
Part II

by Vassie C. Ware, Ph.D.
November 19, 2008
©2008

There once was a stem cell stuck in the 'hood'
Dividing endlessly, but only wishing he could
Become something else, a skin cell, a hair cell, or some other type
But for weeks he sulked and uttered this gripe:
"Why am I not needed?" to his friends he would say
"Isn't there a call for a specialist somewhere today?"
Well, if you really want to leave to get a new start,
You must change your tune, for surely there is an art
To consider what signals you hear and choices you make.
Divide once more for the special journey you take.
Dare to be different, as you differentiate!

 

written for Bioscience in the 21st Century class

 
     
 

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©2008
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