Research Project Outline
The generation of iPS cells has enabled full reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, followed by differentiation to other cell types of diseased organs. Alternatively, we aim to induce chondrogenic stem / progenitor cells directly from mouse dermal fibroblast culture by employing methods of directed reprogramming. Induced cells could produce homogenous cartilage tissue in vivo, providing materials with joint diseases in regenerative medicine. This approach induces cells without reversion to a pluripotent stem cell state, possibly reducing a risk of tumorigenesity and producing homogenous tissues of diseased organs.