| abstract |
This disclosure relates a composition and method for promoting the reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells, the composition comprising gelatin and laminin. The disclosure further relates to a method of preparing somatic cells for producing induced pluripotent stem cells and a method for producing induced pluripotent stem cells, and thus provides method useful for the production of expanded somatic cells and induced pluripotent stem cells for use in research and therapy. Thus, the disclosure provides a method of preparing somatic cells for producing induced pluripotent stem cells, the method comprising: (i) isolating somatic cells from a sample, and (ii) expanding the somatic cells for a predetermined period of time, wherein the expanded somatic cells express TERT1, as well as a method for producing induced pluripotent stem cells from said expanded somatic cells by (a) introducing genetic elements, optionally episomal genetic elements, that express induced pluripotent stem cells reprogramming factors into said expanded somatic cells and (b) culturing said expanded somatic cells comprising the genetic elements, thereby producing induced pluripotent stem cells. |