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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
08:01
A Two-Step Strategy that Combines Epigenetic Modification and Biomechanical Cues to Generate Mammalian Pluripotent Cells
Published on: August 29, 2020
Sheng Ding: using chemical methods to control cell fate
ACS Chemical Biology
|March 21, 2009
Abstract:
Profiles provide insights into the lives, backgrounds, career paths, and futures of scientists who serve as Experts on ACS Chemical Biology's online Ask the Expert feature. Ding will begin answering your questions in mid-March, 2009. Readers are encouraged to submit their questions to the Experts at http://community.acs.org/chembiol/ . The editors will post the most interesting exchanges on the web site.
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01:24Methods 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.
01:51Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...