Since Yamanaka and Takahashi generated first human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from adult somatic cells in 2007, iPSCs have become a major tool in many areas of research, such as disease modeling, drug testing and development, and regenerative medicine. One of the most important advantages of iPSCs is that they maintain the genetic background of the host donor. iPSCs derived from patients with specific disorders, such as neurodevelopmental disorders, provide a unique in vitro model system for studying molecular mechanisms underlying their pathophysiology.
Our colleagues Dr. Danijela Drakulić and Dr. Nataša Kovačević Grujičić received a special award from IMGGE for introducing the methodology and the generation of first patient-specific iPSC cells in IMGGE and Serbia. We congratulate them on this award and hope that we will soon read a publication about their results related to iPSC cells derived from patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.