(03-18-2014, 03:45 PM)Genscriptlorraine Wrote: STAP (Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency) cells have made recent science headlines with reports that mouse somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent cells simply by being subjected to external stress. Unlike, IPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) which require successful transfection with a specific set of pluripotent transcription factors, STAPs are generated without any type of exogenous genetic transfer or manipulation. While the article has raised controversy, it has also brought attention to the importance of stem cell research and the great impact a new method for generating stem cells could have on treating several types of disease. This is why it is critical to use the correct high-quality proteins when maintaining different types of stem cells in culture.


Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, and STAP Research

1. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) - a critical component to maintain stem cell self-renewal through its activation of the STAT3 pathway. Absence of LIF without subsequent genetic manipulation results in stem cell differentiation. LIF is used in all 3 types of Mouse stem cell culture (Embryonic, Induced Pluripotent and newly defined Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency).

Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

2. Fibroblast Growth Factor-basic (FGF-basic) - This growth factor is the human equivalent to LIF. High concentrations of FGF-basic are critical for maintaining self-renewal of both human embryonic and human induced pluripotent stem cells in culture.

3. Noggin - The addition of this glycoprotein with FGF-basic is essential for sustaining pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Noggin binds to and inhibits Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 (BMP-4) thereby blocking its ability to promote stem cell differentiation. Supplement FGF-basic with Noggin to maintain both human embryonic and human induced pluripotent stem cells in culture.