When a team led by investigators at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, reported a new method to reprogram stem cells using an external stressor, such as an acid bath or a mechanical squeeze, several researchers and media reports marveled at the simplicity of their approach. But anecdotal evidence from stem cell researchers trying to replicate the results of the two Nature studies published last month (January 29) indicates that reproducing stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP) is anything but easy.
Researchers who have tried to follow the published protocol have reported trouble with the method.
Read the full, original story: Stress-Induced Stem Cell Method Questioned
