HealthJuly 31, 2026
progenitor
proh-JEN-ih-ter
Definition
A cell in its early stage of development that is capable of differentiating into more specialized cell types.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'progenitor', meaning 'ancestor' or 'founder', which combines 'pro-' (before) and 'gignere' (to beget).
In the news
The article uses the term to describe cells in the developing retina that shift their gene expression patterns to produce more cones than rods. Identifying how these early-stage cells differentiate is central to understanding the squirrel's unique retinal structure.
How thirteen-lined ground squirrels illuminate retinal development
Read the full article ↗thetransmitter.org