Molecular Therapy Technology Reprograms Cells

Iftach Nachman, from Tel Aviv University (Israel), and colleagues have developed a new technology that uses molecular therapy to coax adult cells to revert to an embryonic stem cell-like state, allowing scientists to later re-differentiate these cells into specific types with the potential to treat a variety of diseases. The team has successfully tracked the progression of these cells through live imaging to learn more about how they are reprogrammed, and how the new cells evolve over time. Cellular reprogramming, which aims to prompt cells to regress back to their embryonic stage, is an emerging biomedical technology that someday will allow scientists to develop better real-life therapies and reduce risk to patients.