In the last blog post I discussed one of the most interesting aspects of stem cell research, the distinct differences between the two classes of stem cells. In this post, I also discussed some of the issues with adult stem cells compared to embryonic stem cells. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells have been researcher’s solution to this challenge. In fact, they were not discovered until 2007, but the practice has become the future of regenerative medicine.

These cells begin as adult stem cells, but they are genetically altered so that they behave like embryonic stem cells. However, it has not been determined yet if there are any minor differences between indices pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Now, you may be asking why they are called induced pluripotent cells if they act like embryonic stem cells. The name comes from the fact that these specific cells have the pluripotent properties of stem cells induced onto them by the genetic alterations made by scientists.

Even though this cell type was discovered only nine years ago, the outstanding potential for these cells is tremendous. UCLA Stem Cell Research has shown that these cells can become active motor neurons, liver cells, and blood cells. But what does this mean? Paralyzed individuals may be able to walk again once their motor neurons are regenerated. Liver cells can be regrown instead of a patient waiting for months or years on a transplant list with the risk of dying before a transplant. Blood disorders and blood cancers have the potential of being cured. There is also promising research in using these cells to help treat ALS, Rett Syndrome, and other disease that affect the muscular system. Simple skin cell samples of patients allow researchers to study the disease’s affect on the cells in the hopes of using induced pluripotent cells to repair the detrimental damage.