Scientists to create iPS cells from Japanese patients

March 10, 2008

A group of researchers including Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka that successfully developed induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, plans to create iPS cells from the cells of Japanese patients suffering from about 10 intractable and incurable diseases, including muscular dystrophy, it has been learned.

The researchers are set to apply to an in-house ethics committee for permission to begin the project and start work on research including developing new medicines using iPS cells as early as April.

Cell deterioration is usually studied to determine the cause of a particular ailment. But if the team can create iPS cells from patients’ cells and transform them into sick ones, they will be able to elucidate the mechanism by which healthy cells degenerate. (The Daily Yomiuri)