Good news on stem cell research

[The Drone Ranger]

http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/01/acid-treatment-could-provide-breakthrough-stem-cell-technique

[Neils]

DR.

Why is this good news? I dare say that it is; but quote the relevant points at least :)

[fatshark]

It's good news because simply treating the cells with acid is a whole lot easier (and more ethically acceptable - see below) than over-expressing 3 or 4 transcription factors which is what used to be required to create pluripotent stem cells. It's a remarkable observation.

The comparison is made in this paragraph, quoting Yamanaka, who got a Nobel prize for the technique:

Previously, researchers have created pluripotent cell lines by isolating cells from early stage embryos; those cells are called ES cells. In 2006, Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University, showed that forcing the overexpression of proteins called transcription factors in differentiated cells can turn back the clock and make the cells behave like ES cells. Those cells are called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. If the new STAP method can be extended to humans, it would sidestep the ethical objections to the use of embryos and the genetic mutations that sometimes occur in iPS cells.

[Trog]

Also a patient's own cells can be used, which reduces the likelihood of rejection. Plus, the process is much faster.