Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to grow and differentiate into specialized cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are differentiated mature somatic cells that have been reverted back to a stem cell-like state by the induced activation of the so-called Yamanaka factors (i.e. Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc). Once in a stem cell-like state, iPSCs can potentially be converted into any cell type, making them useful in a variety of personalized medical therapies.
