Episomal iPSC Reprogramming Vectors - FAQs

We offer the Invitrogen CytoTune-iPS 2.0 Sendai Reprogramming Kit (Cat. Nos. A16517, A16518) which is a non-integrating system that uses Sendai virus vectors to reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The Invitrogen CytoTune-iPS 2.0 Sendai Reprogramming Kit contains three Invitrogen CytoTune 2.0 reprogramming vectors that are used for delivering and expressing key genetic factors necessary for reprogramming somatic cells into iPSCs. Only one application of the vectors is required for successful reprogramming.

Additionally, we offer the Episomal iPSC Reprogramming Vectors (Cat. No A14703) or Epi5 Episomal iPSC Reprogramming Kit (Cat. No A15960). This is a non-integrating system that reprograms somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These two products contain a mixture of six or five vectors designed to provide the optimal system for generating transgene-free and virus-free iPSCs in a feeder-free environment. Originally developed by Junying Yu and James Thomson (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19325077) and further optimized by Cellular Dynamics International, these Episomal iPSC Reprogramming Vectors have proven successful in reprogramming a number of different somatic cell types.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.

The full length Human FGF-basic (FGF-2/bFGF) (aa 1-155) Recombinant Protein is recommended for stem cells whereas the truncated variant, Human FGF-basic (FGF-2/bFGF) (aa 10-155) Recombinant Protein which is missing the first 9 amino acids, is recommended for use with neural and cardiac cells.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Culture Support Center.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS or iPSCs) are pluripotent stem cells directly generated by introducing combination of genes coding for “reprogramming factors” into adult cells. These reprogramming factors include Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc, KLF4, NANOG, and LIN28. Yu, et al, generated iPS from a human mesenchymal cell line using lentiviral vectors carrying Oct4, Sox2, NANOG, and LIN28 genes (Science 318:1917 (2007)). Using a similar approach, Takahashi et al, generated iPS from human primary fibroblast cells by introducing genes coding for Oct3, Sox2, KLF4, and c-Myc into these cells (Cell 131:861 (2007)). iPS generated by reprogramming are similar to human ES cells in morphology, the capacity for unlimited proliferation, surface-antigen expression, gene expression, the ability to differentiate into cell types representing the three germ layers in vitro, and the ability to form teratomas after injection into SCID mice.