Since 2020, aggregated from related topics
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a type of stem cell that can be generated directly from adult cells, such as skin or blood cells. This process involves reprogramming the adult cells to a pluripotent state, meaning they have the ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body. iPSCs have become a valuable tool in research as they allow for the study of disease mechanisms, drug screening, and potential regenerative medicine applications without the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells. The pluripotent nature of iPSCs also makes them a promising candidate for personalized medicine approaches, as they can be derived from a specific individual and used to model diseases and test potential treatments tailored to that individual's genetic makeup.