Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

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.

Forced Transdifferentiation

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...

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

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...

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

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...

Cellular Differentiation

Cellular Differentiation

How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

A 'good' regulator may provide a world model for intelligent systems.

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences·2026

Same author

Top-Down Proteomics of Zebrafish Brain Regions Using Capillary Zone Electrophoresis-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Journal of proteome research·2026

Same author

Uncovering zebrafish embryonic proteome dynamics across 16 time points during the first 24 hours of development.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Top-Down Proteomics Study of Aging and Sexual Dimorphism of Zebrafish Brains.

Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS·2025

Same author

CLAE: A High-Fidelity Nanopore Sequencing Strategy for Read-Level Viral Variant Detection and Environmental RNA Virus Discovery.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025

Same author

The Molecular Basis of Differentiation Wave Activity in Embryogenesis.

Bio Systems·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

Published on: July 30, 2016

Defining the diversity of phenotypic respecification using multiple cell lines and reprogramming regimens.

Bradly Alicea¹, Shashanka Murthy, Sarah A Keaton

¹1 Department of Animal Science Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan.

Stem Cells and Development

|May 16, 2013

Summary

Cellular reprogramming efficiency varies significantly between different fibroblast lines, even those of similar origin. This variability, not a general susceptibility, necessitates testing multiple cell lines to accurately assess reprogramming methods.

More Related Videos

Assessing Cardiomyocyte Subtypes Following Transcription Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Assessing Cardiomyocyte Subtypes Following Transcription Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Published on: March 22, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

Published on: July 30, 2016

Assessing Cardiomyocyte Subtypes Following Transcription Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Assessing Cardiomyocyte Subtypes Following Transcription Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Published on: March 22, 2017

Area of Science:

Stem Cell Biology
Cellular Reprogramming
Molecular Biology

Background:

Cellular reprogramming aims to convert one cell type into another, but efficiency can vary.
Understanding the basis of this variation is crucial for reproducible research and therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify differences in reprogramming efficiency among similar primary fibroblast cell lines.
To compare reprogramming efficiency towards induced neurons versus induced skeletal muscle.
To determine if reprogramming capacity stems from a generally susceptible cell subpopulation.

Main Methods:

Controlled experiments accounting for technical variables in reprogramming regimens.
Comparison of reprogramming efficiency across multiple fibroblast lines.
Assessment of conversion rates to two distinct cell phenotypes (neurons and skeletal muscle).

Main Results:

Reprogramming efficiency was reproducible within a single fibroblast line but highly variable between different lines.
The observed inter-line variability was substantial enough to explain discrepancies in published studies.
Efficiency in converting to one cell type did not predict efficiency for the other, refuting a general susceptibility model.

Conclusions:

Direct reprogramming efficiency is primarily determined by the specific cell line used, not a general cellular plasticity.
Accurate assessment requires parallel testing of multiple cell lines from diverse sources.
Testing numerous fibroblast lines, even those with similar origins, is key to improving reprogramming protocols.