The promise of induced pluripotent stem cells in research and therapy

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 481; no. 7381; pp. 295 - 305
• Main Authors: Robinton, Daisy A., Daley, George Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 19.01.2012; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/136/2444; 631/532/2064/2158; 631/532/2435; 692/700/565/2319; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Assay; Cellular Reprogramming; Disease; DNA binding proteins; DNA methylation; Embryonic stem cells; Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology; Embryonic Stem Cells - metabolism; Epigenesis, Genetic; General aspects; Genetic disorders; Genetic engineering; Genomes; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - cytology; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism; Medical sciences; multidisciplinary; Physiological aspects; Regenerative Medicine - trends; review-article; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Stem Cell Research; Stem cells; Studies; Transplantation; Transplants & implants; United States; Human; Treatment; Disease; Regenerative medicine; Induced pluripotent stem cell; Review; Fundamental research
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/nature10761

The field of stem-cell biology has been catapulted forward by the startling development of reprogramming technology. The ability to restore pluripotency to somatic cells through the ectopic co-expression of reprogramming factors has created powerful new opportunities for modelling human diseases and offers hope for personalized regenerative cell therapies. While the field is racing ahead, some researchers are pausing to evaluate whether induced pluripotent stem cells are indeed the true equivalents of embryonic stem cells and whether subtle differences between these types of cell might affect their research applications and therapeutic potential.