Interesting advance in stem cell research

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Pgardn,
You may be entirely correct with your prediction. There's a long way to go
with producing replacement organs (such as a liver as you suggest). We can discuss matrix and regeneration techniques some other time.
I think that the use of four protien transcriptors using retroviruses that express as pluripotent stem cells (as the Nature article states) and the transfer of iPS DNA to progeny are quite interesting.
Watson was recently given his personal genome and within a short time, all of us will have access to our own for a very modest price (1K).
I agree with you that this is "difficult", but not out of reach.
DTS

There is a danger to this also. It is pretty clear that all cells are programmed to die or reproduce more. Cancer might really be defined as defects in the genes that control cell death or regeneration. These retroviral genes are playing with this basic concept. I dont see it as simple as sticking some genes into cells to make them act like cells that regenerate (stem cells). It just cant be that easy with all the modifications that occur to DNA when cells differentiate for specific function. Look closely into how are immune system works. The cells functioning here can make a huge array of proteins to attack foreign bodies just by snipping and splicing bits of DNA here and there. Its amazing stuff. But the DNA is altered for good.
For a long time we had no idea how our bodies could make antibodies to chocolate, diff types of perfume, and bacteria and viruses. We now know. Alteration of coding sequences in a random way to produce a huge array of cells that can recognize the most unique conformation of chemicals in invading organisms. Quite a hit and miss way, but a beautiful way to cover the bases given the very basic genetic code.
This last example was given to show the tremendous alteration that can occur in the genomes of certain cell lines, never to come back home to a stem cell.