iPS cells

Have you ever heard of iPS cells? It became a hot topic a few years ago. It was introduced on TV and in papers, so I think that most people know about it. However, if you are asked what iPS cells are, can you explain? I think that there are many people who know the name but most of them can't explain exactly what it is. So today, I will introduce basic knowledge of iPS cells.

iPS cells became famous when Professor Yamanaka of Kyoto University was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2012. iPS cells can be created by body cells that are easy to get. For example, skin, blood, and so on. Before that ES cells were developed. It can be changed to various types of cells. However, ES cells could only get from fertilized eggs. Originally, the fertilized egg was supposed to become a child. So, it makes some ethical issues. iPS cells have solved such ethical problems!

What can we do with iPS cells? First, it is expected for regenerative medicine. iPS cells can regenerate all organs by transforming the cells which can be anything. If exchange old cells and new cells made by iPS, it can be possible to preventing aging. In this way, we may prevent athletes' retiring. A boy who was born with a disability might be able to become an astronaut.  We can be able to do a lot of things that were thought impossible. This technology will give many dreams and hopes to so many people.

Many people may wonder if such a thing is really possible. I will introduce you to what we can actually do with iPS cells. Researchers have succeeded in creating some things. For example, cells that make tissues and organs such as nerves, heart muscle, and blood, and 3D organs such as a small liver. However we not have been able to create big 3D organs which can use for people. It is expected to develop by  using various materials and technologies such as 3D printing. Thus, it is our limit that make small size organs now. Therefore, it is not possible to suddenly grow legs for people who have no legs. However, there are some goals which are easier to achieve than that. It is expected to promote the research and development of new drugs by using iPS cells which get from patients. That can use to test drug's side effects and toxicity.

What did you think? There are many things about iPS cells that you may have never heard before. There are so many research which related to iPS cells around the world. If you are interested in iPS cells, please check them out! I recommend the following site because it summarizes about iPS cells in Q&A format. You can look more detail about iPS cells.

   https://www.cira.kyoto-u.ac.jp/j/faq/faq_ips.html

Thank you for reading all this. See you soon!