About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Stem Cell Scandal Makes Japanese Scientist Resigns

by Kalyani Thivakaran on December 21, 2014 at 1:32 PM
Font : A-A+

 Stem Cell Scandal Makes Japanese Scientist Resigns

A Japanese researcher said on Friday that she would resign, after failing to reproduce results of what was once billed as a ground-breaking study on stem cells and was embroiled in a fabrication scandal that has rocked Japan's scientific establishment.

Haruko Obokata said she was dismayed that new laboratory tests have not been able to repeat her experiments, which she had claimed showed the successful conversion of an adult cell into a stem cell-like state.

Advertisement

"I am keenly aware of my responsibility for troubling a number of people," Obokata said in a statement. "I even can't find the words for an apology."

Her resignation came as Japan's Riken Institute formally announced that so-called "STAP" cells cannot be recreated, apparently drawing a line under the controversial study.
Advertisement

"We have conducted verification experiments but can't repeat the STAP phenomenon," team leader Shinichi Aizawa told a news conference.

"As a result, we will terminate the verification experiments," he said.

Riken in January trumpeted Obokata's simple method to re-programme adult cells to work like stem cells, precursors that are capable of developing into any other cell in the human body.

Her work was published in the international journal Nature.

The study was top news in Japan, where the photogenic and Harvard-trained Obokata became a phenomenon.

But media attention soon grew into scepticism as doubts emerged about her papers on Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency (STAP).

Mistakes were discovered in some data published in two papers, photograph captions were found to be misleading, and the work itself could not be repeated by other scientists, leading to accusations the data had been doctored.

Obokata, who asserted that she created STAP cells some 200 times, has been trying since July, in tandem with independent teams, to reproduce her own results.

She claimed there was a secret technique for creating STAP cells, but has refused to publicise it, asserting it is a subject of her future papers.

"I worked hard for three months to show significant results... but I'm so exhausted now and extremely puzzled," Obokata said in the statement.

The Britain-based Nature withdrew the flawed study after Obokata agreed in June to retract the papers.

As the scandal deepened, Obokata's mentor and co-author, stem cell scientist Yoshiki Sasai, hanged himself, further shaking Japan's scientific establishment.

Riken has pledged to restructure its Center for Developmental Biology where the scandal took place.



Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Genetics & Stem Cells News

A Ray of Hope: Adrenal Hyperplasia may Get a Cure Soon
Scientists have developed the first humanized mouse model for a rare hereditary condition.
Placenta Joins the Brain in Determining Genetic Risk of Schizophrenia
A recent study discovered that the placenta, rather than only the brain, is crucial in determining the genetic risk of schizophrenia.
Scientists Discover Gene Responsible for Severe Facial Defects
FOXI3 gene was found to be involved in Goldenhar syndrome, one form of developmental disorder, revealed research.
Beyond the Blueprint: Understanding the Role of Epigenetics
Contrary to previous beliefs, genes may not be fixed and can be influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle choices, according to modern scientific research.
Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Inherited Eye Disease Trials
Gene therapy successfully tested on dogs with inherited eye disease is now poised for clinical use in humans.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Stem Cell Scandal Makes Japanese Scientist Resigns Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests