Stem cells can self-repair some gene damage

November 14, 2013

Artificial embryonic stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells spontaneously correct certain genetic defects, according to scientists speaking at a discussion this week on new findings in stem cells. During creation of the IPS cells, a few of them manage to repair themselves, said Marina Bershteyn, a researcher in the lab of Arnold Kriegstein of UC San Francisco. These cells grow faster, so with each generation the proportion of these cells increase. (The San Diego Union-Tribune)