Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)

Definition

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a type of stem cell that can be generated directly from adult cells, giving them the ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body. This breakthrough technology allows scientists to create pluripotent stem cells without the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells, marking a significant milestone in regenerative medicine and cellular therapies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first successful generation of iPSCs was reported in 2006 by Shinya Yamanaka and his team, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012.
2. iPSCs provide a powerful tool for disease modeling, drug discovery, and potential regenerative therapies, as they can be derived from patients' own cells, reducing the risk of immune rejection.
3. Unlike embryonic stem cells, iPSCs do not involve the destruction of embryos, addressing many ethical concerns associated with stem cell research.
4. iPSCs have been shown to retain the genetic characteristics of their donor cells, which can be used to study specific diseases at a cellular level.
5. Current challenges in iPSC research include ensuring their safety for clinical applications and understanding the mechanisms of reprogramming to improve efficiency.

Review Questions

• How did the discovery of iPSCs change the landscape of stem cell research and regenerative medicine?
  • The discovery of iPSCs revolutionized stem cell research by providing a method to generate pluripotent cells from adult somatic cells without using embryos. This opened new avenues for regenerative medicine, as it allows for patient-specific therapies and reduces ethical concerns surrounding stem cell use. The ability to create iPSCs also enhanced disease modeling and drug testing capabilities, making it easier to study various conditions at a cellular level.
• Evaluate the impact of iPSC technology on ethical considerations surrounding stem cell research.
  • iPSC technology significantly alleviates many ethical concerns tied to traditional embryonic stem cell research by eliminating the need for embryos. Since iPSCs can be derived from readily available adult cells, this method avoids the moral dilemmas associated with embryo destruction. This shift has allowed for broader support and funding for stem cell research while enabling researchers to explore new therapeutic avenues without contentious ethical debates.
• Assess the future potential of iPSCs in personalized medicine and the challenges that must be overcome.
  • The future potential of iPSCs in personalized medicine is vast, as they can be tailored to match an individual's genetic makeup for developing targeted therapies. However, challenges such as ensuring the safety of iPSC-derived therapies, understanding reprogramming efficiency, and preventing tumorigenesis must be addressed before widespread clinical application. Continued research is essential to optimize protocols for generating safe and effective treatments using iPSCs.

Related terms

Pluripotency: The ability of a stem cell to develop into any type of cell in the body, excluding extra-embryonic tissues.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT): A technique used to create a cloned embryo by transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell, often associated with the creation of embryonic stem cells.

Reprogramming Factors: Specific transcription factors that are introduced into adult cells to induce their transformation into iPSCs, typically including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc.