Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency cell
STAP cells (english stimulus -triggered acquisition of pluripotency, stimulus -triggered acquisition of pluripotency ') are cells that have, according to the original publication of Haruko Obokata from the January 2014 Characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells, such as the gene expression of Oct -4.
Properties
STAP the cells were generated according publication by briefly lowering the pH with citric acid in the culture medium, by adding a weak toxin or by gently pressing. In this case, about 25 % of the cells survive the treatment by which to convert about 30% Oct-4 -positive cells STAP. The lowering of the pH leads inter alia to a stress on the cells, which is partly responsible for the change of cells. The method for generating the STAP cells was developed by Obokata at Brigham and Women 's Hospital ( BWH ) in the laboratory of Charles Vacanti and then optimized at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology. 2008 Obokata tested methods for reprogramming by cell stress at the Harvard Medical School for Vacanti, including by pressing the cells through microcapillaries. The first signs of a dedifferentiation of cell types to STAP cells were obtained with leukocytes, then nerves, skin and muscle cells were studied. In February 2014 Vacanti explained that the method worked well with human cells.
Because the technique could be a significant simplification for generating induced pluripotent stem cells has been attempted by several groups located to reproduce the results. Having different groups could not adjust the results cast doubt on the accuracy of the publication have been expressed. Obokatas employer RIKEN initiated an investigation. In March 2014 Teruhiko Wakayama asked his coauthors therefore to withdraw the publication. Vacanti disagreed with the call and published details of the method on his website. The RIKEN investigation should clarify six points of criticism. Four of the criticisms have been dropped. It was found reuse a photo in a different context from her three years earlier dissertation and a lack of dating her lab records. The RIKEN pointed to the inconsistencies Haruko Obokata. Obokata responded to the report that she was " surprised and upset " about the report and pointed out that the Ungereimheiten are not created intentionally.