Simpler and safer cell reprogramming Pera, M. F. & Hasegawa, K. Nat. Biotechnol. 26, 59–60. (2008). In a commentary in Nature Biotechnology, two prominent scientists describe how induced pluripotent stem cells are getting safer but still contain viral elements and multiple copies of genes whose actions may be unpredictable.

Scientists can't get their minds around Alzheimer's McDermott, T. Los Angeles Times 27 December 2007. An article in the Los Angeles Times describes hurdles in therapies for Alzheimer's disease that raise the question of what stem cells might offer.

Human–animal cytoplasmic hybrid embryos, mitochondria, and an energetic debate St. John, J. & Lovell-Badge. R. Nat. Cell Biol. 9, 988–992 (2007). A pair of prominent scientists postulate that the possibility for using animal oocytes for reprogramming of human somatic cell nuclei is remote and increases the complexity of cell function and viability.

Stem cell funds help young scientists Murphy, R. & Trounson, A. San Jose Mercury News 3 January 2008. In this column in the San Jose Mercury Times, Murphy and Trounson describe the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine's efforts to use $54 million in grants to rescue “the lost generation of young scientists” who are delayed in launching their independent research careers by NIH cutbacks.

Identification and targeting of the ROSA26 locus in human embryonic stem cells Irion, S. et al. Nat. Biotechnol. 25, 1477–1482 (2007). This paper describes a potentially useful site for targeted recombination events, such as the stable integration of reporter constructs.