iPSC Technology
iPSCs are made by “reprogramming” fully differentiated mature cells, such as adult skin cells, to become pluripotent or stem-cell like and do not rely on the use of stem cells derived from embryos (ESCs). Because iPSCs can differentiate into any cell type, iPSCs are considered to be of great potential for disease research, preclinical testing and personalized cell replacement therapy.
iPS CELL TECHNOLOGY
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iPSCs provide numerous advantages over ESCs because iPSCs can be used to model human disease, discover and test conventional pharmaceutical and develop personalized cell replacement therapies.
Breakthrough Discovery
Initially, iPSCs were created with four specific reprogramming factors delivered via viral vectors, a method which makes it impossible to use the cells clinically. In addition, the viral method is associated with an increased risk the cells could turn cancerous and a significant reduction in pluripotency.
The reproducible formation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been challenging to date. Methods that do not require genetic manipulation, such as small molecules and proteins, are predicted to be the safest and most efficient ways to create iPSCs. Dr. Sheng Ding, one of Fate’s scientific founders, was the first to report the creation of iPSCs using proteins and small molecules, a technique that is not only more efficient but effectively eliminates any risk of genetic modification [Zhou et al., Cell Stem Cell, early online publication April 23, 2009]. Dr. Ding's revolutionary breakthrough of protein reprogramming was named the Top Innovation of 2009 by The Scientist.
Dr Ding also discovered novel small molecule conditions to generate iPSCs in a manner that is 200 times more efficient than and twice as fast as conventional methods for reprogramming adult human cells [Lin et al., Nature Methods, October 18, 2009]. Click here to see more research publications.