Adult stem cells have pluripotent capabilities
Scientists have been able to regenerate the pluripotency of adult stem cells. This was the major distinguishing factor between adult and embryonic stem cell research.
Reprogramming of somatic cells is a valuable tool to understand the mechanisms of regaining pluripotency and further opens up the possibility of generating patient-specific pluripotent stem cells. Reprogramming of mouse and human somatic cellsinto pluripotent stem cells, designated as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, has been possible with the expression of the transcription factor quartet Oct4 (also known as Pou5f1), Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4 (refs 1–11). Considering that ectopic expression of c-Myc causes tumorigenicity in offspring and that retroviruses themselves can cause insertional mutagenesis, the generation of iPS cells with a minimal number of factors may hasten the clinical application of this approach. Here we show that adult mouse neural stem cells express higher endogenous levels of Sox2 and c-Myc than embryonic stem cells, and that exogenous Oct4 together with either Klf4 or c-Myc is sufficient to generate iPS cells from neural stem cells. These two-factor iPS cells are similar to embryonic stem cells at the molecular level, contribute to development of the germ line, and form chimaeras. We propose that, in inducing pluripotency, the number of reprogramming factors can be reduced when using somatic cells that endogenously express appropriate levels of complementing factors.
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Argumentation and Debate - 38205 »Argumentation and Debate - 38205
Daniel Johnson »Daniel Johnson
should stem cell research recieve government funding »should stem cell research recieve government funding
Some forms of stem cell research should not receive funding.  »Some forms of stem cell research should not receive funding.
Adult stem cell research should receive government funding. »Adult stem cell research should receive government funding.
Adult stem cells have pluripotent capabilities
stem cell research can help people with incurable medical conditions »stem cell research can help people with incurable medical conditions
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