Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Light-Induced Dielectrophoresis for Characterizing the Electrical Behavior of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Published on: June 16, 2023
Impedance of novel therapeutic technologies: the case of stem cells
David G Zacharias1, Timothy J Nelson, Paul S Mueller
1Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
Embryonic stem cell (ES) technology has advanced considerably within the past three decades and has gained prominent distinction within the emerging field of regenerative medicine. As it now enters the nascent stages of clinical application, many hopes and expectations arise along with questions as to where the technology will go. This paper evaluates the technical and practical obstacles that must be overcome before it can fully translate into the clinical context, the existence of strong opposition to the technology, political and legal barriers that have impeded its progression, and the role of healthcare reform in creating new social and economic priorities. In contrast to the technological imperative, a driving force seeking to implement the most recent scientific advances into medical practice, we refer to such translational obstacles as "technological impedance." Rather than expending inordinate effort to preserve existing systems that continue to possess major hurdles, we advocate fostering interdisciplinary approaches in the development of new generation platforms and embracing disruptive innovations that create solutions to technological impedance and move us forward in healthcare delivery. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 422-427.
Related Concept Videos
Forced Transdifferentiation
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Stem Cell Culture
Source And Potency Of Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic cells are...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

