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Chemical Control of Stem Cell Fate and Developmental Potential
Author(s) -
Lyssiotis Costas A.,
Lairson Luke L.,
Boitano Anthony E.,
Wurdak Heiko,
Zhu Shoutian,
Schultz Peter G.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201004284
Subject(s) - stem cell , regenerative medicine , biology , epigenetics , somatic cell , drug discovery , transplantation , cell fate determination , cellular differentiation , microbiology and biotechnology , regeneration (biology) , bioinformatics , genetics , medicine , transcription factor , gene , surgery
Potential applications of stem cells in medicine range from their inclusion in disease modeling and drug discovery to cell transplantation and regenerative therapies. However, before this promise can be realized several obstacles must be overcome, including the control of stem cell differentiation, allogeneic rejection and limited cell availability. This will require an improved understanding of the mechanisms that govern stem cell potential and the development of robust methods to efficiently control their fate. Recently, a number of small molecules have been identified that can be used both in vitro and in vivo as tools to expand stem cells, direct their differentiation, or reprogram somatic cells to a more naive state. These molecules have provided a wealth of insights into the signaling and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate stem cell biology, and are already beginning to contribute to the development of effective treatments for tissue repair and regeneration.