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Related Concept Videos

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.
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...
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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions
09:34

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

Published on: November 27, 2017

Using heterokaryons to understand pluripotency and reprogramming.

Francesco M Piccolo1, Carlos F Pereira, Irene Cantone

  • 1Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|July 6, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Transient heterokaryons significantly boost cell reprogramming efficiency, enabling deeper study of early molecular events. This method overcomes low success rates of traditional reprogramming, offering new insights into pluripotency induction.

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Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming
08:56

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

Published on: July 30, 2016

Chemical Reversion of Conventional Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to a Naïve-like State with Improved Multilineage Differentiation Potency
09:07

Chemical Reversion of Conventional Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to a Naïve-like State with Improved Multilineage Differentiation Potency

Published on: June 10, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions
09:34

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

Published on: November 27, 2017

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming
08:56

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

Published on: July 30, 2016

Chemical Reversion of Conventional Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to a Naïve-like State with Improved Multilineage Differentiation Potency
09:07

Chemical Reversion of Conventional Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to a Naïve-like State with Improved Multilineage Differentiation Potency

Published on: June 10, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Stem cell research

Background:

  • Cellular reprogramming to pluripotency is crucial for regenerative medicine and disease modeling.
  • Current methods like induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and nuclear transfer have low reprogramming efficiency (1-2%).
  • Low efficiency hinders the detailed analysis of molecular events during productive reprogramming.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a more efficient method for studying early reprogramming events.
  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the conversion of differentiated cells to a pluripotent state.
  • To leverage a novel approach for high-throughput screening of reprogramming factors.

Main Methods:

  • Formation of transient heterokaryons by fusing human differentiated cells (lymphocytes, fibroblasts) with mouse pluripotent stem cells.
  • Analysis of nuclear remodeling events in differentiated nuclei within heterokaryons.
  • Monitoring of pluripotent gene expression and differentiation-associated gene silencing.
  • Integration with genetic and RNAi-based screening approaches.

Main Results:

  • Heterokaryon formation dramatically increases reprogramming efficiency to 15% (SSEA4+ cells).
  • Differentiated nuclei undergo significant remodeling prior to pluripotency gene activation.
  • Early molecular events, including gene expression changes, are observable at higher frequencies.
  • This model facilitates the study of factors and mechanisms driving reprogramming.

Conclusions:

  • Transient heterokaryons provide a highly efficient platform for studying cellular reprogramming.
  • This approach overcomes the limitations of low efficiency in traditional reprogramming methods.
  • Heterokaryon-based studies offer valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms of pluripotency induction.
  • The method is amenable to genetic screens for identifying key reprogramming factors.