Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can divide to more stem cells and differentiate into specialized cells, which exit in multicellular organisms. In mammals, there are two types of stem cells, one is embryonic stem cells (from the inner cell mass of blastocysts) and the other one is adult stem cells (in various tissues). In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells. The endocrine pancreas produce insulin. One of the major pancreatic diseases, diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused by having an insufficient number of insulin-producing β cells. The shortage in donor pancreata could be treated by using alternative sources of stem cells. The adult pancreas retains regenerative capacity and it remains unclear whether this organ contains stem cells. Cellular reprogramming or transdifferentiation of exocrine cells or other types of endocrine cells in the pancreas could provide a long-term solution. This introduces recent reports as references in the related studies.
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