From the atom to the cell: Is the cat alive? Quantum mechanics and stem cell plasticity as déjà vu.

The concepts submitted by quantum mechanics fascinated the scientific community during the first half of the 20(th) century. The second half was dominated by biology, culminating in the sequencing of the human genome and the study of stem cells. Although the anticipated revolution of cellular therapies in medicine is in its infancy, the conceptual debate over stem cell plasticity shares similarities with evolution of the quantum theory. Are there notions and modes of thinking that stem cell biologists should adopt from the evolution in the interpretation of the laws of physics?