We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Naïve Human Stem Cells to Promote Research in Regenerative Medicine and Human Development

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Nov 2013
Print article
Discovery of a method for maintaining human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) in their earliest, most primitive, naïve state is expected to promote research into their use in regenerative medicine, patient-specific iPS cell disease modeling, and the study of early human development in vitro and in vivo.

Induced pluripotent stem cells are usually created by inserting four genes into the genomes of such adult cells as skin cells and then culturing the modified cells with a cocktail of growth factors. The differentiated cells then revert to an embryonic-stem-cell-like state from which they can mature into a multitude of different cell types. The problem has been the lack of a method to hold the stem cells in the undifferentiated state for any length of time.

Investigators at the Weizmann Institute of Science (Rehovot, Israel) worked on this problem with both mouse and human cells. In particular, they were interested in establishing a technique to preserve human iPS cells in their earliest, naïve state that would mimic the behavior of mouse stem cells, which naturally remain in an undifferentiated state for much longer.

They reported in the October 30, 2013, online edition of the journal Nature that they had successfully established defined conditions that facilitated the derivation of genetically unmodified human naive pluripotent stem cells from already established primed human embryonic stem cells, from somatic cells through iPS cell reprogramming, or directly from blastocysts. The novel naïve pluripotent cells retained molecular characteristics and functional properties that were highly similar to mouse naive embryonic stem cells, and distinct from conventional primed human pluripotent cells.

"These cells correspond to the earliest stages of human embryonic stem cells that have been isolated. We managed to freeze what is essentially a very fleeting situation and to produce a new, naïve, pluripotent state in stem cells," said senior author Dr. Jacob H. Hanna, professor of medical genetics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. "When we grow the cells in the petri dish we do not know if they are maintaining their original state as in the embryo. This is what is new: this is the first time that we can keep the cells in what we call the naïve configuration. The challenge for us now is how to take these naïve cells and in the petri dish make a liver, or, from our study, it starts creating the possibility that with these cells you may consider growing organs in other species. We do not know if that works. There are a lot of ethical issues to consider. But we have put this on the table."

Related Links:

Weizmann Institute of Science


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.