title: Advances in reprogramming to pluripotency.
abstract: Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) derived from somatic cells represent a powerful experimental tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease phenotype; with prospects to advance medical therapies. They also have significant potential as a renewable source of autologous cells for cellular therapy. Various approaches for PSC derivation from somatic cells have been reported in the literature. The method used for reprogramming is particularly relevant as it may affect the characteristics and quality of PSCs. This review will present an overview of the basic strategies and methods for reprogramming to pluripotency. These strategies will be briefly discussed in the context of how the mechanism of reprogramming could influence PSC characteristics with respect to safety and quality. Aspects of the reprogramming approach that can influence PSC properties, such as culture conditions and donor cell source, are also discussed.
authors.forename: Suad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alateeq
authors.forename: Patrick R J
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Fortuna
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Level 4, Building 75, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia. e.wolvetang@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wolvetang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D006801:Humans; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation