Abstract: The present invention relates to pluripotent or multipotent somatic stem cells characterized by the expression of the germline specific gene, DAZL. The somatic stem cells expressing the DAZL marker are further characterized by expression of additional markers and absence of expression of certain blood markers. In particular, the present invention discloses therapeutic and diagnostic uses, other than the germ cell potential use, of the DAZL pluripotent or multipotent stem cells isolated from adult or peripheral somatic sources such as peripheral blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood.