Validation of Technique Inducing Skin Cells to become Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers at UC, Los Angeles succeeded in inducing skin cells to become pluripotent cells with genetic featured very much like embryonic stem cells. They verified work published during the completion of their project, which showed that the introduction of four specific genetic factors is sufficient to induce differentiated adult cells into reverting to an embryonic stem cell-like state. This was critical validation of a procedure that could lead to a new way of developing personalized cell lines for therapy.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: February 26, 2008
CIRM funding: Rupa Sridharan (T1-00005)

Related Information: Press release, The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, Lowry lab page