What "Adult" Stem Cells Might Do For You

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 05 Dec 2008 - 5:00 PST

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Last year, several research groups discovered ways to genetically tinker with adult cells so they look and behave like stem cells from embryos.

These reprogrammed cells are called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.

This year, researchers showed how iPS cells might be used.

Skin cells from two older patients with Lou Gehrig's disease were transformed into iPS cells and then coaxed into becoming neurons and other cells that might be used to treat the disease. Insulin-producing pancreatic cells were made from iPS cells that came from human skin. And two research teams reported that they had found new ways to make iPS cells, another step toward the day stem cell therapy will leave the lab and enter the clinic.

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Harvard Health Letter