SSCs

SSCs is an acronym that can refer to several terms across different fields. This article summarizes some of the most common uses, noting that meanings vary by country and discipline.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are a population of undifferentiated germ cells in the testes that sustain spermatogenesis. They balance self-renewal with differentiation, providing a lifelong source of sperm and contributing to male fertility. In research, SSCs are studied for their biology, potential in transplantation, and use in regenerative medicine and gene therapy, subject to ethical and regulatory considerations.

In business and organizations, a shared services center (SSC) centralizes back-office functions such as finance, human resources, IT, and procurement for a corporate group. Benefits typically include cost savings, process standardization, and improved service levels, while challenges involve coordinating multiple units, data security, governance, and change management.

In education, SSC commonly refers to the Secondary School Certificate, a standardized credential in several countries after completing secondary education. Requirements and grading vary by country, but the certificate is often used for admission to higher education or vocational programs and for employment qualification.

Historically, SSC stood for the Superconducting Super Collider, a planned U.S. particle accelerator in Texas that would have been the world's largest. The project faced rising costs and political opposition and was canceled in 1993 before construction began.