Special Feature: Method of the Year

Method of the Year 2009

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.294

The ability to return mature body cells to a pluripotent state has wide-ranging potential as a tool for discovery in both disease and basic biology.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (53 KB) - Method of the Year 2008

Special Feature: Method of the Year

iPS cells: potent stuff

Monya Baker

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.281

Now that the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells is becoming routine, researchers can get on to the more exciting prospect of using the cells to make discoveries in disease and basic biology. Monya Baker reports.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (487 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Primer: induced pluripotent stem cells

Natalie de Souza

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.293

A brief overview of methods for reprogramming to induced pluripotency and of the properties of induced pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (614 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

The mysteries of induced pluripotency: where will they lead?-

Andras Nagy & Kristina Nagy

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.292

The discovery that it is possible to render somatic cells pluripotent by the exogenous expression of a set of transcription factors provides an experimental model for studying the molecular nature of cellular identity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (388 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Induced pluripotent stem cell technology for the study of human disease-

Gabsang Lee & Lorenz Studer

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.283

iPS cell technology makes patient- and disease-specific human cells widely available. While technical challenges still remain, the use of these tools will greatly expand our understanding of human disease.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (526 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Stem cell research policy and iPS cells

Timothy Caulfield, Christopher Scott, Insoo Hyun, Robin Lovell-Badge, Kazuto Kato & Amy Zarzeczny

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.282

The field of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) will be subject to a wide range of laws and research ethics policies, many of which exist as a result of the controversies associated with research on human embryonic stem cells. Understanding this potentially complex regulatory environment will help iPSC research move forward and will inform future policy.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (505 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Targeted proteomics-

Allison Doerr

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.284

Technology for sensitively and reproducibly detecting targeted proteins by mass spectrometry picks up speed.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (583 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Optical imaging of the native brain-

Daniel Evanko

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.285

Methodological developments are opening the functioning brain to cellular-level investigation using light.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (583 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Mapping genomes in 3D-

Nicole Rusk

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.286

Refinements in methods to uncover the higher-order structure of the genome will allow functional insight into genomic architecture at high resolution.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (1,015 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Single-cell methods-

Natalie de Souza

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.287

The ability to study single cells will permit a better understanding of cellular heterogeneity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (1,015 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Label-free microscopy-

Daniel Evanko

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.288

New methods to coax signals from unlabeled biological molecules may finally fulfill the promise of practical label-free microscopy with molecular specificity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (1,153 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

High-throughput phenotyping-

Natalie de Souza

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.289

Automated methods to score phenotypes in model organisms continue to develop and will permit previously inaccessible areas of biology to be probed.

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (1,153 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

A direct view of the fifth base-

Nicole Rusk

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.291

Will some single molecule sequencing strategies be able to deliver on the promise of direct methyl cytosine sequencing?

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (185 KB)

Special Feature: Method of the Year

Synthetic life-

Allison Doerr

doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.290

Will new methods and an emerging understanding of the minimal requirements for cellular life be sufficient to construct a synthetic organism?

Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2009 | PDF (185 KB)