Home  Research Research Spotlight NYSCF-Druckenmiller Fellow Justin Ichida is Lead Author on Groundbreaking Study
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NYSCF-Druckenmiller Fellow Justin Ichida is Lead Author on Groundbreaking Study
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NYSCF applauds NYSCF-Druckenmiller fellow Justin Ichida on his recently
published work in Cell Stem Cell, bringing us closer to turning adult
cells into patient-specific stem cells without the use of cancer
causing genes. Building on the work of Lasker Prize-winning scientist
Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, Dr. Ichida and his colleagues at Harvard
found a new and safer way to make stem cells by using chemicals to
replace two of the four genes used to turn adult cells into induced
pluiripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are very similar to embryonic
stem cells.
Below is an interview with Dr. Ichida, first author on the recently published paper.
Why did you choose to become a stem cell researcher?
I have always been interested in manipulating biological systems to
improve the lives of others. Of all areas of biology, stem cells have
the greatest potential to dramatically change and improve the way we
treat disease. Academically, stem cell research is interesting because
we are beginning to learn how cells become and remain specialized for
their roles in the body.
What is your new paper about?
Our new paper is about the identification and characterization of a
chemical that helps turn adult cells into stem cells that are very
similar to embryonic stem cells.
Why is your work in the paper important and why is it exciting?
This discovery is exciting because it demonstrates the feasibility of
using chemicals to make clinical-grade, patient-specific stem cells for
transplantation medicine. This means that in the near future, we
should be able to make limitless supplies of stem cells and replacement
cells for patients with disease.
What impact will this have on the field of stem cell research?
One of the most important things we learned from this study is that
with respect to molecular pathways, there are many ways to convert one
type of cell into another. By using a non-biased chemical screening
approach, we uncovered a previously unknown way to make stem cells.
The big challenge in the stem cell field over the next decade will be
to figure out how to make the right cells for disease treatment, and we
now know that using the same type of non-biased screening approach will
help us achieve this important goal.
Read the Press Release »
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