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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...
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.
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...
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...
Forced Transdifferentiation01:28

Forced Transdifferentiation

Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
09:38

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Published on: August 27, 2021

Cellular reprogramming employing recombinant sox2 protein.

Marc Thier1, Bernhard Münst, Stephanie Mielke

  • 1Stem Cell Engineering Group, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn-Life & Brain Center and Hertie Foundation, Sigmund-Freud Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.

Stem Cells International
|June 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Generating transgene-free induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is crucial for safe cell therapies. This study optimized Sox2-TAT protein delivery, demonstrating its ability to reprogram somatic cells without genetic modification.

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Generating iPS Cells from MEFS through Forced Expression of Sox-2, Oct-4, c-Myc, and Klf4
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Selecting and Isolating Colonies of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reprogrammed from Adult Fibroblasts
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Selecting and Isolating Colonies of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reprogrammed from Adult Fibroblasts

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Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
09:38

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Published on: August 27, 2021

Generating iPS Cells from MEFS through Forced Expression of Sox-2, Oct-4, c-Myc, and Klf4
13:02

Generating iPS Cells from MEFS through Forced Expression of Sox-2, Oct-4, c-Myc, and Klf4

Published on: April 7, 2008

Selecting and Isolating Colonies of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reprogrammed from Adult Fibroblasts
13:23

Selecting and Isolating Colonies of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reprogrammed from Adult Fibroblasts

Published on: February 20, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offer patient-specific cell sources for therapies and disease modeling.
  • Clinical applications require transgene-free iPS cell generation to avoid genetic modification risks.
  • Current methods for transgene-free iPSCs include non-integrating viruses and episomal expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To optimize the stabilization and delivery of cell-permeant Sox2-TAT protein for transgene-free iPS cell generation.
  • To demonstrate that Sox2-TAT protein can functionally replace viral Sox2 in reprogramming somatic cells.
  • To confirm the pluripotency and differentiation capacity of iPS cells generated using Sox2-TAT protein.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of cell-permeant Sox2-TAT protein.
  • Optimization of Sox2-TAT protein stabilization using lipid-rich albumin supplements in culture media.
  • Delivery of optimized Sox2-TAT protein into somatic cells for reprogramming.
  • Analysis of pluripotency markers and in vitro differentiation of generated iPS cells.

Main Results:

  • Lipid-rich albumin supplements enhanced the stability of cell-permeant Sox2-TAT protein.
  • Optimized Sox2-TAT protein delivery successfully reprogrammed somatic cells.
  • Sox2-TAT protein substituted for viral Sox2 in reprogramming.
  • Generated Sox2-induced pluripotent stem (piPS) cells expressed pluripotency markers and differentiated into all three germ layers.

Conclusions:

  • Sox2-TAT protein, when stabilized and delivered effectively, serves as a viable non-integrating method for generating patient-specific iPS cells.
  • This protein-based reprogramming approach offers a safer alternative for clinical applications by avoiding genetic alterations.
  • Further optimization of protein delivery systems holds promise for advancing regenerative medicine and disease modeling.