They found a way to reprogram somatic cells. Using viral vectors originally to incorporate transcription factors, but lately avoiding viral vectors, they transformed differentiated somatic cells to a state that appears to be equivalent to human embryonic stem cells. They are called induced pluripotent stem cells. I posted articles about them using the keyword ipsc.
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Pluripotency in the broad sense refers to "having more than one potential outcome." In biological systems, this can refer either to cells or to biological compounds. From the Latin pluri=many, potent=power, capacity. A pluripotent cell can create all cell types except for extra embryonic tissue, unlike a totipotent cell, (tot=all), which can produce every cell type including extra embryonic tissue.
BTTT
Mmm, food for thought. The media made it seem as if the stem cell problem with ethics was beaten. Personally I’m freaked out by anything using viruses. Viruses are the most alien form of life (or death?) on our planet. No one really knows why they are and why they continue because they’re not truly alive as we understand life. Yet there they are.
Sorry about the med school comment...closest I’ve come to a lie here. I never snagged the financing but do try to stay read up. Thanks for keeping we morons informed. Somatic - I have been really sleepy of late.
Bad joking aside (and apologizing for the abundance of smartasses who cropped up here) I’d like to know more about pluripotent cells. Do you think that line of research will yield results? There are so many people in need of a cure.