Breakthrough in the creation of iPS cells

British and Canadian scientists have made a breakthrough in creating induced pluripotent stem cells- known as iPS cells - from human skin cells without the use of viruses.

iPS cells are adult cells, often skin cells, that have been reprogrammed to resemble embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells are the building blocks of our bodies as they have the potential to turn into many types of human tissue. Human stem cell-like cells are useful for research into motor neurone disease (MND) as these cells offer us a potential source of human motor neurones for research.

Scientists have previously demonstrated that they can create iPS cells. The procedure they used, however, involved injecting the adult cells with viruses in order to re-programme the adult cell. The injected viruses modified the cells in such a way that they had the potential to become cancerous. Consequently, the iPS cells would not be suitable to help treat patients with conditions such as MND.

This research, co-led by Sir Ian Wilmut at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Edinburgh University, is a breakthrough as the technique does not involve injecting the adult cells with viruses. Instead the scientists applied a method called ‘electroporation’ which involves applying a temporary electric shock to the cells.

Using iPS cells, which have been created in this way, to treat MND is a number of years away. This is because rigorous testing will be needed to ensure that this technique is safe for patients. The scientists leading the research have stressed that more work is needed before iPS cells can begin clinical trials.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme this morning, Sir Ian Wilmut said: “This is the opening of a new era in biomedical research which over a period of time will provide treatments for some of the diseases we cannot treat at the present time.”

More information about iPS cells in MND research can be found on our News in Research pages. See 'Re-programming' adult stem cells.