Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that have not yet differentiated into a specific cell type. ES cells are unique in that they can retain their ability of self-renewal and at the same time they can differentiate into cells that make up the ectodermal, endodermal, or mesodermal layers. Three transcription factors have recently been implicated in the maintenance and regulation of ES cells. The three factors are OCT4, SOX9, and NANOG3. These three transcription factors are responsible for maintenance and differentiation of ES cells. An understanding of how this motif of transcription factors regulates the ES cells is vital to the use of ES cells for future therapies.
Kornberg’s groundbreaking insight into the process of transcription is a step in the right direction. By combining his work with the knowledge of these transcription factors we can gain insight into how ES cells choose the different paths of differentiation. So scientist in the future will be able to express the specific types of cells that are needed for a certain therapy through the manipulation of the three transcription factors mentioned above.
To gain the maximum benefit from stem cell therapies it is imperative that scientist be able to direct the differentiation of ES cells so as to obtain the particular cell type that is needed10. This can be achieved by applying Kornberg’s work with research on ES cells to expand our understanding of the overall process of ES cell differentiation.