Located within the Department of Pathology (iPSC Core) and the Department of Molecular Genetics (Technology Development Core) in University of Florida College of Medicine, we provide services, resources and trainings needed for iPSC (induced Pluripotent Stem Cell) derivation and related reprogramming technologies. The center activities were initiated with support from McKnight Brain Institute (UFMBI), Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UFCTSI) and Faculty Enhancement Opportunity (UFFEO) awards.
Our Vision
Human iPSCs are pluripotent stem cells artificially generated by transiently expressing a set of exogenous transcription factors in somatic cells. We now realize the cells have a great value as a system to model human diseases. iPSCs can be generated from skin biopsies or blood samples of patients, and can be differentiated in vitro into cell types which are not easily accessible in patients, such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. Since iPSCs retain all the genomic information from the original patients, iPSCs could be utilized to study how genetic aberrancies in the patient manifest in target cells in vitro. Indeed, pioneering studies have demonstrated that disease-specific iPSCs are useful for understanding disease mechanisms. Moreover, iPSC-derived cells, when recapitulating some disease phenotypes in vitro, can be a fast-track screening tool for drug discovery. Further, iPSCs will also become a valuable tool to predict drug efficacy and toxicity for individuals, thus promoting personalized medicine.
Our Mission
- Promote iPSC and cellular reprogramming research for:
- Disease pathobiology study
- Drug discovery
- Future cellular transplantation therapy
- Generate and distribute disease-specific iPSCs to the research community
- Develop safer and efficient cellular reprogramming methods
- Facilitate collaboration between researchers for multidisciplinary reprogramming studies
- Facilitate grant applications using iPSCs and reprogramming technologies
- Provide seminars, workshops and hands-on-training on cellular reprogramming