Stem-cell researchers have puzzled over why reprogrammed cells taken from adult tissues are often slower to divide and much less robust than their embryo-derived counterparts.

Now, a team has discovered the key genetic difference between embryonic and adult-derived stem cells in mice. If confirmed in humans, the finding could help clinicians to select only the heartiest stem cells for therapeutic applications and disease modelling.

Mouse stem cells can be used to create neurons (above) for the screening of drugs.Y.SUN, UCSF/CIR

via Gene flaw found in induced stem cells : Nature News.