http://bit.ly/9qKawR Scientists have discovered that neural cells and fat cells in adult mice are perfect for reprogramming into useful cells that could someday be used in repairing human tissue. A relatively new technique is to convert the cells into “induced pluripotent stem cells” (iPS cells). This phase breaks the cell down into its most basic layers, which in the case of the mouse cells is the three germ layers –endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. These fat tissue cells from mice can be grown easily and quickly in cultures. From there, the iPS cells can engineered into cells for humans or scientific research.
What is unique about iPS cells is that they are a blank cell that can be molded into almost any cell the scientist determines. According to professor at USF, “"There is considerable potential in the generation of iPS cells for the treatment of a number of disorders." So long as there are sources to get the original cells, iPS cells will be available. What are the essential properties of a perfectly pure cell (iPS cell)?
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