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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
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Growing Neural Stem Cells from Conventional and Nonconventional Regions of the Adult Rodent Brain
Published on: November 18, 2013
NerveCenter: Are IPSCs a game-changer in stem cell debate?
Annals of Neurology
|October 30, 2010
Summary
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) research, funded publicly and privately, promises significant health advancements. However, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research remains critically important for scientific progress.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Regenerative medicine
- Stem cell biology
Background:
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a promising alternative to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
- Ethical and technical considerations surround stem cell research.
- Significant investment is flowing into stem cell research from both public and private sectors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits of induced pluripotent stem cell research.
- To emphasize the continued necessity of human embryonic stem cell research.
- To inform investment strategies in stem cell science.
Main Methods:
- Review of current investment trends in stem cell research.
- Analysis of potential health benefits derived from iPSC technology.
- Comparative assessment of iPSC and hESC research requirements and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Public and private funding is accelerating iPSC research.
- iPSC research is projected to yield substantial health benefits.
- Human embryonic stem cell research is indispensable for certain scientific applications.
Conclusions:
- Investment in iPSC research is highly beneficial for public health.
- Continued support for human embryonic stem cell research is essential.
- A balanced approach to stem cell research funding is recommended.
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01:21EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research
Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
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01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
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The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
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