iPS cells
The Japanese team, led by Shinya Yamanaka, demonstrated that with a little coaxing, the iPS cells, like embryonic stem cells, could transform themselves into different types of human tissue. First they manipulated a cluster to create nerve cells. Then they tried for heart cells. Just 12 days after mixing a sample of iPS cells with a cocktail of proteins in a petri dish, the scientists watched as clumps of newly formed cardiac cells started beating like a human heart. The iPS cells even have an advantage over embryonic: Since they’re derived from the patient’s own cells, there’s no risk of rejection. Brought by Health and Beauty