Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced 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...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced 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...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced 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...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
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...
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.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A prototype differential atom interferometer for fundamental physics.

Nature·2026
Same author

Letter to the Editor: Announcement of a Call for Proposals for biomedical waveform coding.

Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2024
Same author

Using human induced pluripotent stem cells to treat retinal disease.

Progress in retinal and eye research·2013
Same author

Quantitative evaluation of reference genes for real-time PCR during in vitro maturation of ovine oocytes.

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene·2012
Same author

Near-surface nanoscale InAs Hall cross sensitivity to localized magnetic and electric fields.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2011
Same author

Dynamic micro-Hall detection of superparamagnetic beads in a microfluidic channel.

Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials·2011

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Cultivate Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells from Children and Reprogram into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
12:08

Cultivate Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells from Children and Reprogram into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: March 10, 2016

Induced pluripotent stem cells: epigenetic memories and practical implications.

G J Sullivan1, Y Bai, J Fletcher

  • 1MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Chancellors Building, 49, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.

Molecular Human Reproduction
|November 10, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain epigenetic memory, affecting their differentiation potential compared to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, iPSCs can be modified to achieve a more ESC-like state, suggesting potential for future applications.

More Related Videos

Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program
11:00

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

Published on: December 16, 2016

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Frozen Buffy Coats using Non-integrating Episomal Plasmids
10:52

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Frozen Buffy Coats using Non-integrating Episomal Plasmids

Published on: June 5, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Cultivate Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells from Children and Reprogram into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
12:08

Cultivate Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells from Children and Reprogram into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: March 10, 2016

Reprogramming Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts with Transcription Factors to Induce a Hemogenic Program
11:00

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

Published on: December 16, 2016

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Frozen Buffy Coats using Non-integrating Episomal Plasmids
10:52

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Frozen Buffy Coats using Non-integrating Episomal Plasmids

Published on: June 5, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cellular reprogramming

Background:

  • Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are generated from somatic cells via transcription factor expression.
  • It was previously assumed iPSCs were functionally identical to embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
  • Recent studies reveal iPSCs retain epigenetic memory from donor tissue, impacting differentiation potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional equivalence of iPSCs and ESCs.
  • To explore the implications of epigenetic memory in iPSCs for their utility.
  • To review methods for modifying iPSCs towards an ESC-like state.

Main Methods:

  • Literature survey of epigenetic and transcriptome differences between stem cell populations.
  • Analysis of iPSC reprogramming and differentiation potential.
  • Review of methods to alter iPSC epigenetic status.

Main Results:

  • iPSCs exhibit epigenetic memory and skewed differentiation compared to ESCs.
  • Differences exist at epigenetic and transcriptome levels between pluripotent stem cell types.
  • Continuous passaging or small molecule treatment can induce a more ESC-like state in iPSCs.

Conclusions:

  • iPSCs are not fully equivalent to ESCs due to retained epigenetic memory.
  • The process of achieving an ESC-like epigenetic status in iPSCs appears largely passive.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and implications for trans-differentiation and therapeutic use.