Skin Cells Now Being Used to Create Stem Cells

With all the controversy about embryos and stem cell research, it's a not surprise that the subject is constantly in the news. This time embryos and stem cell research are in the spot light for a good reason. Two groups of scientists have found a way to convert human skin cells into stem cells with out the use of embryos. Thus, taking the controversy out of embryos and stem cell research.

The scientists have found that new skin cells can be developed into any type of cell in the body. Heart cells, nerve cells and other cells are all usable. The new technique requires no part or parts of an embryo.

Currently, this new procedure for turning skin cells into stem cells is not feasible for medical therapies. The technique uses viruses to inject genes into the cells' DNA. These viruses could possibly cause mutations and cancer. Scientist groups are still trying to find another way to deliver the genes into the cells which would allow for safer uses.

The research groups used skins cells called fibroblasts because they grow so rapidly. They are also easier to obtain. One research group used skins cells taken from a woman's face while the other group used cells taken from a newborn's foreskin. In order to obtain fibroblasts from a patient, a small, shallow penetration of the skin would be necessary.

Thousands, nearly millions of skin cells are used to create a single gene. The gene would then be transported into the cell using a virus. The genes created will remain active in embryonic stem cells but become inactive in skin cells. Each research group used a multiple combinations of four genes. Two of those genes, OCT4 and SOX2, were continuously used in all of the experiments. The two genes are used to control the activity of other genes.

Within 2 to 3 weeks after the genes were injected, some transformed the skin cells into stem cells. Some of the created cells had all of the characteristics that are present in embryonic stem cells.

"If you didn't know where they came from, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between these cells and true human embryonic stem cells," says one of the researchers.

So far, the experiments have produced up to 35 converted cells. The cells are being called Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. A single skin sample can produce many stem cell lines which would make the requirements minimal.