[DIYbio] Re: "Scientists in Japan showed stem cells can now be made quickly just by dipping blood cells into acid

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28658269

"Japanese scientist involved in a scandal over discredited stem cell research has been found dead at his laboratory in an apparent suicide.   ... Prof Sasai, the centre's deputy chief, was widely respected in the scientific community. But earlier this year two studies that he supervised caused controversy, after other scientists failed to replicate the results.  The two papers, both published in the journal, Nature in January 2014, had suggested that stem cells could be produced from normal adult cells by dipping them into acid for a 30-minute shock period. These "STAP" cells (stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency) held great promise for both developmental biology and medical science. But the widely reported findings were too good to be true, attracting scepticism and, eventually, claims of scientific fraud. The work was investigated by RIKEN and retracted by Nature in July, amid concern that some of the results had been fabricated.  Although the study's first author, Dr Haruko Obokata, was found guilty of misconduct, Prof Sasai was cleared of direct involvement. He was criticised, however, for his supervision of Dr Obokata and for not spotting inconsistencies in the publications. Prof Sasai had said he was "deeply ashamed" of the problems in the papers and regretful of his role in the scandal."  


## Jonathan Cline
## jcline@ieee.org
## Mobile: +1-805-617-0223
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