Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
Published on: February 2, 2024
Advances in reprogramming to pluripotency
Suad Alateeq, Patrick R J Fortuna, Ernst Wolvetang1
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Level 4, Building 75, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia. e.wolvetang@uq.edu.au.
Abstract:
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) derived from somatic cells represent a powerful experimental tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease phenotype; with prospects to advance medical therapies. They also have significant potential as a renewable source of autologous cells for cellular therapy. Various approaches for PSC derivation from somatic cells have been reported in the literature. The method used for reprogramming is particularly relevant as it may affect the characteristics and quality of PSCs. This review will present an overview of the basic strategies and methods for reprogramming to pluripotency. These strategies will be briefly discussed in the context of how the mechanism of reprogramming could influence PSC characteristics with respect to safety and quality. Aspects of the reprogramming approach that can influence PSC properties, such as culture conditions and donor cell source, are also discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Chromatin Modification in 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
Somatic...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

