Stem Cell Research & Therapy

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Commentary

Tbx3: another important piece fitted into the pluripotent stem cell puzzle

Melinda K Pirity1 and Andras Dinnyes1,2*

Author Affiliations

1 Biotalentum Ltd, Godollo, H-2100, Hungary

2 Molecular Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Szent Istvan University, Pater K. u. 1, Godollo, H-2100, Hungary

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Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2010, 1:12 doi:10.1186/scrt12

Published: 20 May 2010

Abstract

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are novel tools for biomedical research, with a promise for future regenerative medicine applications. Recently, Han and colleagues reported in Nature that T box gene 3 (Tbx3) can improve the quality of mouse iPSCs and increase their germline transmission efficacy. This observation contributes greatly to the improvement of iPSC technology and might be a step towards 'designer' reprogramming strategies by generating high quality iPSCs. Further studies comparing pluripotency regulation in different species, including that in human, will be necessary to verify the universal role of Tbx3 and the medical relevance of the observation.