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Chinese scientists have discovered a drug cocktail capable of converting a certain type of stem cell into a much more potent version that has the potential to grow into a complete organism on its own, according to a study published in the latest issue of the journal Nature this week.
Experts said the discovery of this "elixir of life", which involves three main ingredients, has paved the way for scientists to explore the complex process of how an organism develops from the earliest stages of life. This is critical for stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and preserving critically endangered organisms.
However, they also warned that such technology, though still in its infancy, may yield controversial applications in the future as it lays the theoretical groundwork to replicate an existing organism without using reproductive cells like sperm and eggs.
In the study, scientists from Tsinghua University found a combination of small molecular compounds that can turn pluripotent stem cells from a laboratory mouse into an upgraded version called totipotent stem cells.
The drug cocktail, named TAW, contains the chemicals TTNPB,1-Azakenpaullone and WS6. Researchers cultured mouse pluripotent stem cells in petri dishes containing TAW and created totipotent stem cells that retained their signature characteristics measured via a variety of thorough and stringent test criteria.
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202206/25/WS62b64297a310fd2b29e687b4.html