Basic Biology IV The use of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
(iPSCs) genetically identical to patients has great promise for
treating many diseases. However, iPSCs generated by current
techniques, even iPSC-derivatives genetically identical to the
recipient, express proteins that cause them to be rejected,
presenting a major problem for their use for regenerative
medical applications. Prior research demonstrated eggs (called
oocytes) have the potential to change (reprogram) skin cells in
a way that may eliminate this problem. However, use of human
oocytes is limited by practical, ethical and legal
considerations. Identification of the factors in human oocytes
that provide this optimized reprogramming will improve the
efficacy of human iPSC-based patient-specific cellular
therapies. By identifying, cloning and using these factors to
generate fully reprogrammed iPSCs, we will eliminate the
requirement for donor human oocytes and permit reprogramming
that will eliminate the immune rejection problem. The ultimate o