There is a reason that what is done in the laboratory is called research.  This finding in no way diminishes the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells {iPS).  It merely underscores the fact  that all forms of stem cell research must be pursued.  There are no easy or quick answers.

“Hopes for treating life-threatening diseases with cells taken from patients’ own bodies have suffered a setback after research showed they might trigger severe immune reactions.

The surprise finding will be a hurdle for scientists working on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, a variety of cell that holds promise for treating conditions as diverse as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s and heart disease.“  Read More

By Angie Rizzino, Ph.D.
stem cell biologist – University of Nebraska Medical Center

Just four years ago, scientists developed a method to convert adult cells of the body into cells that exhibit all the essential properties of early embryonic cells. This discovery created both excitement and hope that there will soon be new and effective therapies for treating a wide range of debilitating human conditions, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injuries.
Read the rest of this entry »

Interview with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka of Japan, discover of  iPS cells, which pave the way for pursuing regenerative medicine therapies without destroying embryos.

“Embryonic stem cells are still important for the development of iPS cell research. Findings from research on embryonic stem cells, such as methods to create various types of cells, have been applied to iPS cell research. That’s why iPS cell research has evolved so rapidly. In addition, embryonic stem cells are used as control [comparison] materials when researchers conduct experiments on iPS cells and analyze their quality.”