'Pluripotent' Stem Cells Created from Human Skin
In a major advance within medical research, a pair of scientific teams has successfully reprogrammed human skin cells so as to replicate embryonic stem cells theoretically capable of becoming any of the human body's tissues. The development effectively promises a rich cell-source to open up new corridors of research and development.
Vitally, it could spell an end to the controversial use of human embryo cells.
The twin studies were carried out by teams based in the US and Japan, and published in Science and Cell.
Up to this point, the ability to be 'pluripotent', or capable of becoming any cell, was thought to be confined to embryonic cells.
The researchers in Japan obtained pluripotency in the skin cells through the use of four proteins that control genes. The end products closely resembled stem cells from embryos - although not exactly - and were used to create heart and brain tissue.
After just under a fortnight, the heart muscle tissue replicants started to beat
In the US, a team based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison got the same results, but varied in the chemical used. Here, eight new lines of stem cell have been produced.
Stem Cell Breakthrough Could Lead to Tailored Treatments
The use of skin cells effectively ushers in an age of personalised treatments - significantly reducing the chance of these treatments proving ineffective. The technique has several advantages over present cloning techniques, including its simplicity.
However, the researchers urge that additional development is needed to guarantee its safety.
In the words of Professor James Thomson - one of the researchers involved - "The induced cells do all the things embryonic stem cells do."
He added:"It's going to completely change the field."
Kyoto University's Dr Shinya Yamanaka from the Japanese team echoed the sentiments:
"These cells should be extremely useful in understanding disease mechanisms and screening effective and safe drugs."
According to the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne's Dr Lyle Armstrong, the research represented a "major development". He added; "Although it is early days for this technique, it may well prove to be every bit as significant as the first derivation of human embryonic stem cells nine years ago."
Pharmaceutical International naturally has a very keen interest in this groundbreaking news, on account of its potential for the creation of future treatments. We will continue to provide unrivalled coverage of the very latest developments to emerge.
Source - Pharmaceutical International's Research and Development Analyst
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