Scientists use citric acid to create stem cell ‘game changer’

Scientists have discovered a simple method to convert adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells, which in future could be used to regenerate anything from new neurons to heart tissue.

The technique, described as a “game changer” for stem-cell therapy, requires ordinary skin or blood cells to be bathed in a weak citric acid solution for 25 minutes.

The method overcomes ethical concerns about using stem cells from human embryos and side-steps the practical and safety issues presented by previous methods for genetically “rewinding the clock” on adult cells.

The first demonstration by researchers from the Riken Centre for Developmental Biology.