April 2010
Written by Stacey Herzer

IPSCs are cells that begin as differentiated cells like skin cells (fibroblasts) that scientists manipulate into becoming pluropotent stem cells. These IPSCs behave much like ESCs in that they can become any type of cell. These cells are an important breakthrough in stem cell research because they may have the same therapeutic potential as ESCs without the ethical controversy of using human embryos.  However, more research needs to be dome to fully characterize the potential of these cells, while at the same time new methods for inducing these cells are being explored.    

If you are interested in more information on stem cells, please see the following:

• Stem Cell Fundamentals