Experimental design of this study aimed at identifying novel epigenetic reprogramming factors.

<p>(<b>A</b>) We analyzed the expression of the DNA Methyltransferase (DNMT) family and members of the different histone-modifying enzyme classes in adult human fibroblasts, undifferentiated/differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) by microfluidic Quantitative-PCR (Q-PCR) to identify candidate factors for epigenetic reprogramming. (<b>B</b>) The expression of the candidate reprogramming factors and the epigenetic modifications that they mediate were analyzed at the protein level in human blastocysts and undifferentiated/differentiated hiPSCs, respectively, by confocal microscopy. (<b>C</b>) Human neonatal and adult fibroblasts were transfected with the candidate epigenetic reprogramming factors, which were fluorescently-labeled for visualization, and colony formation assessed via brightfield and fluorescent imaging, immunofluorescence of pluripotency-related cell surface antigens and Q-PCR of epigenetic, pluripotency and cell lineage genes.