A biomarker can be understood as a molecule that is present (or absent) from a particular cellular type. This facilitates the characterization of a cell type, their identification, and eventually their isolation. Cell sorting techniques are based on cellular biomarkers (for example, Fluorescent-activated cell sorting). A biomarker can be used to measure the progress of disease or the effects of treatment.

One example of cellular biomarker is the protein Oct-4 that is found in embryonic stem cells.

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