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Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for this...

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...

Reproductive Cloning

Reproductive Cloning

Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...

Stem Cell Culture

Stem Cell Culture

Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program

Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program

Published on: December 16, 2016

Donor cell differentiation, reprogramming, and cloning efficiency: elusive or illusive correlation?

B Oback¹, D N Wells

¹Reproductive Technologies, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand. bjorn.oback@agresearch.co.nz

Molecular Reproduction and Development

|October 14, 2006

Summary

Mammalian nuclear transfer (NT) cloning efficiency may not significantly improve with less differentiated cells. Further research is needed to determine if cell differentiation status impacts cloning success within somatic cell lineages.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program

Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program

Published on: December 16, 2016

Area of Science:

Reproductive biology
Developmental biology
Genetics

Background:

Mammalian nuclear transfer (NT) cloning is an assisted reproductive technology with low efficiency in producing viable offspring.
A prevailing hypothesis suggests that using less differentiated cells as nuclear donors can enhance reprogramming and cloning efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate the hypothesis that less differentiated cells improve cloning efficiency.
To investigate the impact of various factors on nuclear transfer outcomes.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of mouse cloning experiments.
Consideration of different NT procedures, donor cell genetic backgrounds, sex, and cell cycle stages.
Statistical evaluation of post-blastocyst development.

Main Results:

Reprogrammability of early blastomeres appears higher than that of somatic cells.
Robust statistical significance for post-blastocyst development comparisons was lacking.
The effect of differentiation status on cloning efficiency within somatic lineages remains inconclusive.

Conclusions:

The hypothesis that less differentiated cells inherently increase cloning efficiency requires further rigorous investigation.
Differentiation status may not be the sole determinant of cloning efficiency within somatic cell lineages.
More controlled studies are needed to definitively assess the role of cell differentiation in NT success.