Breakthrough for Stem Cell Research

Scientists from Japan and Wisconsin have reported that they could now create pluripotent stem cells without having to destroy an embryo. They re-engineered the skin cells by introducing four genes to reverse the skin cells to go back to pluripotent state where they can develop into any of the various cells of the body—heart, bone, blood, nerve or even skin itself.

The reprogrammed skin cells may yet prove to have subtle differences from embryonic stem cells that come directly from human embryos, and the new method includes potentially risky steps, like introducing a cancer gene. But stem cell researchers say they are confident that it will not take long to perfect the method and that today’s drawbacks will prove to be temporary.

This is a great news for the Stem Cell research field and there have been so many hopes that such a day will finally arrive. When the scientists can perfect the new procedure to get stem cells, there will be a huge increase in the government fundings for the stem cell projects which by far have been so limited by the budget and the legal and ethical issues.

Technorati Tag: Stem Cell