ABOUT SCIENCE TRAINING NEWS EVENTS DONATE SHINYA YAMANAKA, MD, PHD Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease RESEARCH ABOUT PUBLICATIONS CONTACT In 2006, Shinya Yamanaka discovered that adult somatic cells can be reprogrammed into an embryonic-like pluripotent state by delivering transcription factors. These reprogrammed cells, known as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, have the potential to develop into every cell type in the body and are invaluable tools for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell therapy. iPS cells also provide an unprecedented opportunity for discovery in life science, and in Yamanaka’s lab today, researchers continue to use them to investigate the mechanisms for cell fate determination, the reprogramming process, and pluripotency. Disease Areas Genetic Diseases Intractable and Rare diseases Areas of Expertise Cellular Reprogramming Post-transcriptional Regulation Stem Cells and iPS Cells Lab Focus Investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie cellular reprogramming by defined factors. Determining the mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation and how they influence pluripotency and cell fate. Establishing an innovative approach to study diseases by in-depth analysis of pluripotent stem cells. Research Impact Work from Yamanaka’s lab has demonstrated that a few transcription factors in combinations can reprogram cell fate from somatic lineages back to a pluripotent state. This groundbreaking work established the field of iPS cell technology, and hundreds of scientists are now trying to bring the technology to patients. Continuing efforts in Yamanaka’s lab to elucidate the mechanisms underlying pluripotency and reprogramming revealed that beyond the action of transcription factors, post-transcriptional regulation is also critical for cell fate determination. For example, they demonstrated that NAT1 (eIF4G2), a translation initiation factor, plays multiple roles in human stem cells depending on differentiation status. Their research addresses complex interactions between transcriptional control and post-transcriptional regulation, and contributes to innovative therapeutic options for patients including gene and cell therapies. Related News READ ALL Building a Career in Science as a First-Generation College Student Vanessa Arreola is a first-generation college student whose connection to Gladstone stems from high school March 9, 2021 The Convergence of CRISPR and Human Stem Cells Gladstone President Deepak Srivastava moderated a conversation with Jennifer Doudna and Shinya Yamanaka. January 20, 2021 Nobel Laureate Yamanaka Frets over Japan&#039;s Lax Coronavirus Fight Nikkei Asian Review—Gladstone Senior Investigator Shinya Yamanaka is concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in Japan. To help keep people informed, he has begun a blog to share his scientific insights about the… April 19, 2020 Nobel Laureate Yamanaka Starts Website to Fight Coronavirus The Asahi Shimbun—With the country in a state of socio-economic unrest, Gladstone Investigator Shinya Yamanaka launches his own website to expand the scope of knowledge surrounding the infectious pneumonia-like… March 22, 2020 Meet Gladstone: Sam Perli Sam Perli was going to be a computer scientist, but then he heard about engineering human cells with CRISPR technology, fell in love with biology, and never looked back. March 17, 2020 Embracing Disruptive Technologies to Accelerate Science Overcoming Disease From penicillin to organ transplants, so many important discoveries have dramatically changed healthcare and medicine over the past decades. But what’s really behind all this progress? February 17, 2020 Gladstone Signs Agreement with Kyoto University for an On-site CiRA Laboratory The Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) at Kyoto University opened a new on-site laboratory at Gladstone Institutes. December 3, 2019 Connecting the Dots: From Stem Cells to Human Health Since Shinya Yamanaka discovered a method to create human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, Gladstone researchers have built on this technology to create numerous iPS cell lines, coax iPS cells… October 8, 2019 Meet Gladstone: Kazutoshi Takahashi Kazu was the postdoctoral scholar in Shinya Yamanaka’s laboratory who helped him discover induced pluripotent stem cells and revolutionize the field of biology. Still working together more than a… May 4, 2018 Scientists Learn How to Avoid a Roadblock When Reprogramming Cells Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes provide answers to decade-old questions April 10, 2018 Research on Rare Genetic Disease Reveals New Stem Cell Pathway How do you improve a Nobel Prize-winning discovery? Add a debilitating disease-causing gene mutation. October 21, 2016 Reflecting on the Discovery of the Decade: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Ten years ago, Shinya Yamanaka revolutionized biological research with his discovery of how to turn ordinary skin cells into stem cells with just four key genes. February 26, 2016 Generosity Advances Regenerative Medicine The regenerative medicine program at the Gladstone Institutes has attracted the attention of two global business leaders known for their innovative approach to philanthropy. November 20, 2015 Gladstone’s Adopt-a-School Program Aims to Enrich Classrooms in the Bay Area Gladstone scientists collaborate with teachers to facilitate career discussions and lab lessons for students in public high schools in San Francisco.&nbsp; November 16, 2015 Nobel Prize Winner Elected to the National Academy of Medicine October 20, 2015 Gladstone Institutes is an independent state-of-the-art biomedical research institution that empowers its world-class scientists to find new pathways to cures. STAY UP TO DATE WITH US Subscribe to our newsletter, Cell Signals, to receive monthly updates on the innovative discoveries, distinguishing awards, and noteworthy events taking place at Gladstone Institutes. 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 info@gladstone.org 415.734.2000 © 2021 Gladstone Institutes All Rights Reserved Terms and Conditions Conflict of Interest Careers For Media Contact