Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research

Last week, a group of researchers at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Laboratory developed a method to derive embryonic stem (ES) cells from adult cells. They have created the first ever personalized human ES cell.

Historically, embryonic stems cells are made by injecting the nucleus of a person's adult cell into an enucleated and unfertalized human egg (oocyte). This method, which is essentially cloning, was not very efficient because each patient would require up to a few hundred oocytes for just a small amount successfully extracted ES cells. The most recent advancement was in 2007 when a method was developed that could essentially avoid using oocytes. By injecting special protein factors into an adult cells, these adult cells would eventually revert it back to its embryonic state - at which point ES cells can be extracted (these are called induced pluripotent stem - aka iPS - cells).

This newly discovered method involves keeping the original oocyte nucleus while also injecting another adult nucleus. These oocytes with the two nuclei are much more successful in growth and development; in fact, most have grown into their blastocyst stage (when ES cells are harvested). This new discovery is only relevant for research and not for therapeutic purposes for they have an abnormal number of genomes for proper development.

Personally I think it's a great achievement. When I was interning at a stem cell institute this past summer, I learned cloning and extracting ES cells. It's quite a profound and exciting process. I wish more research would be allowed so this field can really thrive. However, because of the issues concerning illegal sales of oocytes and other ethical dilemmas, the controversies has really stumped growth in certain areas of regenerative medicine.