Science View S2014E28 - How It Was Done! The World's First iPS Cell Human Clinical Research

The world's first transplantation of retinal tissues made from iPS cells to treat a disease called age-related macular degeneration took place at a Kobe hospital in September of this year. It's been just 7 years since Dr. Shinya Yamanaka from Kyoto University first created them. The world's first regenerative medicine study involving iPS cells was realized in Japan. We'll be taking a closer look at how the operation was held and the careful measures that were taken. Dr. Masayo Takahashi from RIKEN, the project leader of the clinical research, joins us in the studio to discuss the first procedure. She also covers the issue of high surgery costs, what low vision care entails and what it means for regenerative medicine, and the Eye Institute that she dreams of. Science View reporter Michelle also holds a special interview with Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, the creator of the iPS cells, and Dr. Jun Takahashi, who is Dr. Masayo Takahashi's husband. Tune in to find out what they have to say!