Scientists at the University of Cambridge have for the first time shown that it is possible to derive from a human embryo so-called ‘naïve’ pluripotent stem cells – one of the most flexible types of stem cell, which can develop into all human tissue other than the placenta.
The ability to derive naïve stem cells has been possible for over thirty years from mouse embryos, but this is the first time this has been possible from human embryos.
Human pluripotent stem cells for use in regenerative medicine or biomedical research come from two sources: embryonic stem cells, derived from fertilised egg cells discarded from IVF procedures; and induced pluripotent stem cells, where skin cells are reprogrammed to a pluripotent form. However, these cells are already "primed" for differentiation into specific cell types. In contrast, all instructions have been erased in naïve cells, which may make it easier to direct them into any cell type of interest.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news...ly-stage-human-stem-cell-lines-for-first-time
Report: http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(16)00056-4
The ability to derive naïve stem cells has been possible for over thirty years from mouse embryos, but this is the first time this has been possible from human embryos.
Human pluripotent stem cells for use in regenerative medicine or biomedical research come from two sources: embryonic stem cells, derived from fertilised egg cells discarded from IVF procedures; and induced pluripotent stem cells, where skin cells are reprogrammed to a pluripotent form. However, these cells are already "primed" for differentiation into specific cell types. In contrast, all instructions have been erased in naïve cells, which may make it easier to direct them into any cell type of interest.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news...ly-stage-human-stem-cell-lines-for-first-time
Report: http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(16)00056-4