In 2006 first paper describing reprogramming of fibroblast into pluripotent cell, i.e. one that is able to differentiate into all tissues was published. Before that spectacular achievement many projects devoted to study the mechanisms of cell de-differentiation led to the establishment of animal cloning techniques and also derivation of embryonic stem cell lines. Present review summarizes the history of these studies and also describes pioneer works leading to derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells, current methods of reprogramming, and possible applications of these cells.


Embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from preimplantation embryos at the blastocyst stage are unique in their unlimited self-renewal ability and pluripotency allowing their differentiation into any cell type. For these reasons ES cells are considered as a perfect material for basic research on their differentiation capacities, and also for the studies devoted to the development of novel therapies. This article focuses at the mechanisms regulating ES cells pluripotency, self-renewal, and also influencing their differentiation.

In 2007, the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to Martin Evans, Mario Cappecchiemu and Olivier Smithiesowi. Martin Evans has been honored for the isolation of pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells), two other researchers for developing methods of genetic modification of these komórek.Tutaj presents the history of obtaining embryonic stem cells, methods of inducing their differentiation targeted in vivo and in vitro, as well as selected issues associated with the potential use of these cells for therapy.