Stem Cell Differentiation a s a Non-Markov Stochastic Process Graphical

In Brief We profile individual mouse embryonic stem cells as they progress along the neuronal lineage. Analysis of observed cell dynamics using a hidden Markov model reveals the presence of a chain of unobserved molecular states that each cell transits through stochastically in sequence. We suggest a statistical mechanics interpretation of these results and propose a model of stem cell differentiation as a non-Markov stochastic process.