Time to Reconsider Stem Cell Induction Strategies
Lehrstuhl für Anatomie und Entwicklungsbiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsklinikum, Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany
Cells 2012, 1(4), 1293-1312; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells1041293
Received: 7 September 2012 / Revised: 12 November 2012 / Accepted: 4 December 2012 / Published: 17 December 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tissue and Organ Regeneration)
Recent developments in stem cell research suggest that it may be time to reconsider the current focus of stem cell induction strategies. During the previous five years, approximately, the induction of pluripotency in somatic cells, i.e., the generation of so-called ‘induced pluripotent stem cells’ (iPSCs), has become the focus of ongoing research in many stem cell laboratories, because this technology promises to overcome limitations (both technical and ethical) seen in the production and use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). A rapidly increasing number of publications suggest, however, that it is now possible to choose instead other, alternative ways of generating stem and progenitor cells bypassing pluripotency. These new strategies may offer important advantages with respect to ethics, as well as to safety considerations. The present communication discusses why these strategies may provide possibilities for an escape from the dilemma presented by pluripotent stem cells (self-organization potential, cloning by tetraploid complementation, patenting problems and tumor formation risk).
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Keywords:
stem cells; pluripotency; bypassing pluripotency; direct reprogramming; tetraploid complementation; developmental potential; ethics; patenting
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License
MDPI and ACS Style
Denker, H.-W. Time to Reconsider Stem Cell Induction Strategies. Cells 2012, 1, 1293-1312. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells1041293
AMA Style
Denker H-W. Time to Reconsider Stem Cell Induction Strategies. Cells. 2012; 1(4):1293-1312. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells1041293
Chicago/Turabian StyleDenker, Hans-Werner. 2012. "Time to Reconsider Stem Cell Induction Strategies" Cells 1, no. 4: 1293-1312. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells1041293
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