life inspired

"When under threat, it pays to be flexible. That principle may help explain why scientists have been able to use viruses to reprogram differentiated cells into stem cells, an advance that was recognized as part of this year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. In the 26 October issue of Cell, a U.S. research team reports that a cell's defensive reaction to viruses seems to make it more open to expressing genes that are usually shut down—whether they be those that trigger inflammation or those that are active in stem cells. The find could help scientists better understand how cellular reprogramming works, and may also help them develop more efficient and safer ways to reprogram cells." Full news analysis @ Science. Full article:

Lee et al [2012. "Activation of Innate Immunity Is Required for Efficient Nuclear Reprogramming". Cell 151 (3):547 - 558.

Labels: cell reprogramming, immune system, stem cells