In 2006, Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi used OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM; also known as Yamanaka factors) to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells. Twenty years later, the field has made remarkable progress, both technically and in terms of its applications. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of iPSCs, we asked experts around the globe about their view on the most striking achievements and next challenges to overcome.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants, whether maternally inherited or acquired somatically during aging, can be particularly detrimental to cells that rely on mitochondrial metabolism such as neurons. T...

IPSCs Expansion Medium Market is Expected to Reach a Valuation of USD 2500 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 8.8% During the Forecast Period 2026 - 2035

ARPA-H funded project aims to create living cardiac components — and ultimately a complete heart — for infants and young children with congenital heart disease.

IPSCs Expansion Medium Market is Expected to Reach a Valuation of USD 2500 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 8.8% During the Forecast Period 2026 - 2035

In 2006, Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi used OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM; also known as Yamanaka factors) to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells. Twenty year...

Tessmer, Karen; Hammer, Juliane; Gasparini, Sylvia J.; et al. iScience Vol. 29, no. 11, p. 117750 - Loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the eye leads to photoreceptor dysfunction, death, and eventually, vision loss. Cell replacement strategies using RPE cells derived in vitro from pluripotent stem cells are currently evaluated as a potential therapeutic strategy. Generation of polarized mo

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were first generated in 2006 by Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Takahashi at Kyoto University. Their landmark work demonstrated that mature somatic cells could be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state through the expression of four transcription factors, now known as the Yamanaka factors. In 2012, Dr. Yamanaka and Sir John B. Gurdon were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning reprogramming mature cells to make them pluripotent.

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are caused by the progressive loss of motor neurons and eventually lead to paralysis and death. Once viewed as primarily neurocentric, MNDs are now recognized to be driven by intertwined cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. Dissecting these interactions is essential for developing effective therapies. Here, we describe induced pluripotent stem cell-derived 3D models that can be used to capture distinct aspects of MND pathology. We show that spinal cord organoids can be used to investigate cell-autonomous mechanisms and motor neuron–glia interactions (with axially elongated spinal cord organoids being particularly useful to study developmental vulnerability) as well as in 3D muscle and combined neuromuscular models to dissect muscle pathology and neuromuscular junction dismantling. In parallel, we discuss advances in bioengineering, machine learning and human trunk-like models, which together can begin to reproduce the coordinated co-deve