RIKEN researcher chosen as one of five scientists to watch in 2014

Masayo Takahashi of the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, who is heading the world's first clinical research using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), was chosen by the prestigious journal Natureas one of five scientists to watch in 2014.

Takahashi is investigating the safety of iPSC cell derived cell sheets in patients with wet-type age-related macular degeneration (wet-type AMD), a relatively common condition among the elderly in Japan, which can, in serious cases, lead to blindness.

The clinical research program began recruiting patients in the summer of 2013.