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Related Concept Videos

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming01:29

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 Reprogramming01:14

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...
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

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.
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
Maintenance of the ES Cell State01:14

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans
07:53

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Published on: January 1, 2018

Reprogramming cell fates: reconciling rarity with robustness.

Sui Huang1

  • 1Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. Sui.huang@ucalgary.ca

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|March 26, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) reprogramming reveals fundamental cell fate regulation. A rugged epigenetic landscape explains why these rare events are robust, offering a new framework for understanding cell reprogramming.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

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Published on: January 1, 2018

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Systems Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Cell reprogramming allows differentiated somatic cells to achieve a pluripotent stem cell phenotype.
  • The robustness of stem cell generation contrasts with the rarity of reprogramming events.
  • Existing paradigms do not fully explain this apparent paradox in cell fate regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a pedagogical primer on gene regulatory networks as dynamic systems.
  • To review recent insights into gene expression noise and cell fate determination.
  • To offer a formal framework for understanding the rarity and robustness of cell fate reprogramming.

Main Methods:

  • Exploration of gene regulatory network dynamics.
  • Analysis of gene expression noise.
  • Review of existing literature on cell fate determination and reprogramming.

Main Results:

  • The concept of a rugged "epigenetic landscape" with attractor states explains reprogramming rarity and robustness.
  • Gene regulatory network dynamics are key to understanding cell fate.
  • Cell fate determination is influenced by gene expression noise.

Conclusions:

  • Reprogramming events are rare yet robust due to the inherent dynamics of gene regulatory networks and the epigenetic landscape.
  • A formal framework integrating gene regulatory networks, noise, and epigenetic landscapes is crucial for understanding cell fate.
  • This work provides foundational insights into the fundamental principles of cell fate regulation and reprogramming.