Introduction:
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that are derived from the inner cell mass
of a blastocyst. These cells have the potential to differentiate into any of the 3 embryonic germ
layers, and if cultured properly eventually can become any type of cell within the body. Due to
the controversy and ethical concerns regarding the use of ES cells, scientists have discovered a
way to generate pluripotent cells, by using Human Induced Pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC).
hiPSC are undifferentiated, embryonic stem cells - like cells that are derived from somatic cells.
These cells exhibit similarities in their morphology and gene expression which are also seen in
ES cells ( ). Another significant reason iPSC’s are preferentially used is due to the
capability of these cell to have unlimited regeneration.
The ability to induce pluripotency in somatic cells was discovered by the researcher Shinya
Yamanaka and his colleagues. After the differentiation of an embryonic stem cell into a mature
somatic cell, the somatic cell regulates its gene expression by transcriptionally silencing the
majority of the genes within its genome. Even though pluripotency genes are present
inside of all somatic cells, these genes are turned off. Yamanaka’s research team was able to …show more content…
today is cardiovascular disease. Current treatment such as heart transplants, and diagnostics such as heart biopsies are still a major issue. Innovative research has shown iPSC derived cardiomyocytes to be effective in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and in embryonic studies. The inability of Cardiomyocytes to self-re-generate and repair cells that have been damaged ultimately results in the formation of necrotic cardiac tissue. Without treatment, this dead and damaged tissue eventually becomes more severe, which ultimately results in cardiovascular disease progression, heart failure and eventually
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that are derived from the inner cell mass
of a blastocyst. These cells have the potential to differentiate into any of the 3 embryonic germ
layers, and if cultured properly eventually can become any type of cell within the body. Due to
the controversy and ethical concerns regarding the use of ES cells, scientists have discovered a
way to generate pluripotent cells, by using Human Induced Pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC).
hiPSC are undifferentiated, embryonic stem cells - like cells that are derived from somatic cells.
These cells exhibit similarities in their morphology and gene expression which are also seen in
ES cells ( ). Another significant reason iPSC’s are preferentially used is due to the
capability of these cell to have unlimited regeneration.
The ability to induce pluripotency in somatic cells was discovered by the researcher Shinya
Yamanaka and his colleagues. After the differentiation of an embryonic stem cell into a mature
somatic cell, the somatic cell regulates its gene expression by transcriptionally silencing the
majority of the genes within its genome. Even though pluripotency genes are present
inside of all somatic cells, these genes are turned off. Yamanaka’s research team was able to …show more content…
today is cardiovascular disease. Current treatment such as heart transplants, and diagnostics such as heart biopsies are still a major issue. Innovative research has shown iPSC derived cardiomyocytes to be effective in regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and in embryonic studies. The inability of Cardiomyocytes to self-re-generate and repair cells that have been damaged ultimately results in the formation of necrotic cardiac tissue. Without treatment, this dead and damaged tissue eventually becomes more severe, which ultimately results in cardiovascular disease progression, heart failure and eventually