Angela Hernandez
Mar 22, 2012

New shortcut for stem cell programming

A new reprogramming method introduced by University of Bonn researchers enables derivation of immature brain stem cells with an unlimited ability to divide. Advancing on 2006 research which produced stem cells that could differentiate into all types of body cells, the Bonn team used connective tissue cells from mice and initiated the conversion with a combination of four genes, targeting the production of brain stem cells instead of pluripotent iPS multipurpose cells as the previous study had done. This method cuts down on the reprogramming of the cells through the embryonic stage, making it faster than the method used to produce pluripotent stem cells and with a lower risk of tumors. Also, this technique produces neural cells that can be multiplied to an almost unlimited degree.