Sunday, October 3, 2010

More Stem Cell Good News

My favorite word is in the title of the article: Progress. Scientists have formulated a more efficacious way to reprogram skin cells into stem cells, the stem cell-creation methodology of choice, as it circumvents the political firestorm surrounding destroyed embryos. 

The cells become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) by fiddling with their RNA. The previous approach involved using the cell's DNA, which resulted in a heightened risk of cancer. Needless to say, that plan was quickly scrapped.

Luckily, using the RNA turns out even better, as the process is highly efficient and the iPS cells are of good quality. Good thing, because I want only the finest iPS'.

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