A rapidly evolving revolution in stem cell biology and medicine

The developments arising from human IVF are remarkable. Embryos were studied for developmental patterns that have consequences for viability and fertility. Growing human blastocysts in vitro allowed further exploration of the differentiation of primitive embryonic cells, leading to the discovery of human embryonic stem cells (ESC). The availability of perhaps unlimited numbers of human ESC could inform the study of differentiation and also provide cells for therapies in human regenerative medicine. The developments in cell biology have been impressive, including the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells – adult cells transduced by specific transcription factors to behave like human ESC. Key regulators of development such as activators or inhibitors of lineage progression have also been explored, particularly the fibroblast growth factor, Wnt and transforming growth factor β signalling pathways and miRNA. Such regulators can be utilized in algorithms to predict how cells differentiate in vitro. Using multistep differentiation protocols, many different cell types can be formed and matured into functionally effective cells, some of which are already in translational research for clinical applications. Possible future developments include destruction of cancer stem cells, reversal of type I diabetes, restoration of vision, repair of motor function, cure for HIV/AIDS and heart muscle regeneration.The developments in human IVF are remarkable. Embryos were studied for their growth and development that showed their ability to provide pregnancy for infertile couples. The ability to grow human embryos in the laboratory enabled scientists to develop embryonic stem cells (ESC) –these grow forever in the primitive state and are capable of forming all the cells of the body. Scientists realized the potential for the study of human cell biology and medicine that arose from the unlimited numbers of ESC. The developments in cell biology have been impressive and have transformed understanding of cell abilities to develop and change, and created new technologies. This includes the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) which means that adult cells can be converted to embryonic-like stem cells using a few critical genes. Key regulators of cell types have been identified and these genes and other regulators can be used to predict how different cell types of the body form. This has enabled scientists to direct these primitive cells into tissues useful for clinical studies.VIDEO LINK:http://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/1401048