Stem cells: therapeutic applications and experimental techniques

Stem cells are being used more frequently for research and experimental therapy, but as yet the clinical applications of stem cells are limited. Pluripotent stem cells, with embryonic stem cells as the most well know example, can differentiate into each cell type; in contrast, tissue specific stem cells can only form one or more cell types within one type of tissue. It has been possible for some time to reprogram different types of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. Such stem cells are termed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). iPS cells can also be created from cells of patients with genetic conditions. Research into mechanisms of pathology and new medicines can be carried out with these against a specific genetic background. Clinical application of such iPS cells is not to be expected in the short term. Facilities are being established in different Dutch academic centres to create iPS cells for scientific research. Conflict of interest: none declared.