Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)

What are Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)?

• Pluripotency refers to a stem cell that has the potential to differentiate into different types of cells.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (also known as iPS cells or iPSCs) are a type of pluripotent stem cell that can be generated directly from adult cells.

How are iPSCs generated?

• iPSCs are typically derived by introducing a certain set of genes known as Yamanaka genes that reprogramme regular mature cells to become Pluripotent stem cells

Applications of iPSCs:

• Pluripotent stem cells hold promise in the field of regenerative medicine.
• Since iPSCs can be derived directly from adult tissues, they not only bypass the need for embryos (the use of embryos in stem cell research is controversial), but can be made in a patient-matched manner as well.
• It helps in studying the cellular basis of human disease.
• Generate human organ for transplantation.

What are stem cells?

• Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells.
• They have the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth.
• In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding “Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)”:
1.iPSCs can be derived directly from adult tissues
2.The term “Yamanaka genes” is associated with iPSCs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question