iPS Cells
In 2007, scientists, including Rudolf Jaenisch, Ph.D., a scientific founder of Fate Therapetuics and founding member of the Whitehead Institute, reported that fully differentiated mature cells, such as a skin cells, could be “reprogrammed” to become pluripotent by forcing expression of four transcription genes (See Figure). These cells were called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells or iPSCs) and were derived from the potential patient’s own cells. Thus, the issue of creating patient specific cells was addressed. Furthermore, ethical and supply issues involving the use of embryos or eggs had been avoided.
CREATING iPS CELLS
A schematic of creating iPS cells, a more efficient and reproducible process for generating genetically matched stem cells.
However, more work needs to be done; iPS cells were first created by genetic manipulation using viruses, which makes the cells unsuitable for any clinical use. Currently, Fate Therapeutics and the company’s scientific founders are finding safer and more efficient ways to create iPS cells using non-genetic methods, such as small molecules and biologics. Methods that do not require genetic manipulation, such as small molecules and proteins, are predicted to be the safest ways to create iPS cells. Dr. Sheng Ding, one of Fate’s scientific founders, is the first to report the creation of iPS cells 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].
As iPS cells can potentially be made from any adult cell and differentiate into any cell type, iPS cells are considered to be of great potential for disease research, preclinical testing and personalized cell replacement therapy. Beyond these applications, Fate Therapeutics believes iPS cells are of essential importance to research how to control cell fate with small molecules to develop conventional therapeutics. These small molecules could potentially be applied to modulating adult stem cells to stimulate the body’s own healing process to repair and regenerate tissues.
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