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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...

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.

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...

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...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model

Published on: September 6, 2014

Mechanisms and models of somatic cell reprogramming.

Yosef Buganim¹, Dina A Faddah, Rudolf Jaenisch

¹Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.

Nature Reviews. Genetics

|May 18, 2013

Summary

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogramming is key to improving their therapeutic potential. This study explores genome remodeling by reprogramming factors, including MYC, and outlines reprogramming phases and models.

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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 11, 2026

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model

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Published on: September 6, 2014

Kinetic Measurement and Real Time Visualization of Somatic Reprogramming

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Published on: July 30, 2016

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

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
Epigenetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotency yields induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with variable developmental potential.
Improving iPSC quality is crucial for therapeutic applications.
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of reprogramming is essential for controlling cell identity.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the somatic cell reprogramming process.
To discuss recent discoveries on the role of reprogramming factors in genome remodeling.
To describe the distinct phases, markers, and emerging models of cellular reprogramming.

Main Methods:

Review of recent scientific literature on cellular reprogramming.
Analysis of the function of key reprogramming factors, including MYC.
Discussion of genomic remodeling processes during reprogramming.

Main Results:

Recent discoveries highlight the role of reprogramming factors in altering the genome.
New insights into the function of MYC in reprogramming have emerged.
Different phases, characteristic markers, and evolving models of reprogramming are described.

Conclusions:

Understanding reprogramming mechanisms is vital for enhancing iPSC quality for therapeutic use.
Further research into genomic remodeling and factor function will advance the field.
Emerging models provide a framework for studying the complex process of reprogramming.