Innovative Technique Transforms Stem Cells

There is an increased risk of mutagenesis during the process of transforming stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).  Joseph C Wu, from Stanford University School of Medicine (California, USA), and colleagues have devised a virus-free technique to introduce genes into stem cells.  The researchers developed “'minicircle” DNA, tiny circles of genetic material that is absent of bacterial DNA and capable of high expression in cells. Noting that this is the first time that adult (non-embryonic) stem cells have been reprogrammed in this way, the team is hopeful it marks an important advance toward the therapeutic use of such cells in the clinical medical setting.