Human induced pluripotent cell, SEM

Human induced pluripotent cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Stem cell research is a way forward to tackle and possibly cure human diseases. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), due to the capacity of differentiating into a wide range cell types, are of most interest where functional adult stem cells types are difficult to access expand or drive. In particular, Human induced pluripotent cells ( hiPSCs) represent an exciting alternative to embryonic cells, avoiding the ethical issues associated with their use and providing a better model for studying human diseases and possibly finding more effective therapies.Specimen courtesy of Professor Giampietro Schiavo, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL. Magnification: x3200 when printed 10 centimetres wide., by STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY