Induced pluripotent stem cell generation-associated point mutations

The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has the potential to drastically alter the future of medicine. Further, the achievement of cell lineage conversion by gene transduction is expected to make a dramatic contribution to the advancement of basic biology. Currently, various iPSC applications have been the focus of much attention due to their potential in regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, because the molecular mechanisms underlying the creation of these cells have remained elusive, confidence in their safe use in a clinical setting has remained rather shaky. In our present review, we discuss genome integrity during iPSC generation, with a particular focus on point mutations, to further address the issue of whether iPSC generation causes genetic aberrations