Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state by being forced to express genes and factors important for maintaining the defining properties of embryonic stem cells. The reprogramming of adult cells into embryonic stem (ES) cells enables the generation of patient-specific stem cells and thus has enormous potential for the treatment and analysis of degenerative diseases. In this project the investigators are going to induce pluripotent stem cells from cell cultures from skin biopsies of patients. The iPS cells will be developed for modeling diseases and drug discovery as well as basic research.