The Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health (FM6SS) has announced a groundbreaking milestone for Morocco: the successful reprogramming of human peripheral blood cells (PBMCs) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). This marks a significant and historic leap forward in scientific research. This strategic breakthrough lays the foundation for establishing a national platform dedicated to cell reprogramming and differentiation. This platform will focus on advancing biomedical research, personalized medicine, and innovative therapies, according to a statement from the Foundation. «This success reaffirms our Foundation's mission to position Morocco as a leader in medical research and innovation, tackling major public health challenges,» stated the director of the Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, as reported in the same release. iPS cells, derived from a simple blood sample, possess two extraordinary properties: the ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body and the capacity for unlimited self-renewal. These attributes make them a revolutionary tool for modeling human diseases using a patient's own cells, evaluating the efficacy and safety of new drugs under conditions that closely mimic physiological reality, developing regenerative therapies to repair vital tissues such as the heart, brain, liver, and lungs, and creating new immunotherapy strategies against cancers. Globally, iPS cells are already being explored in promising clinical trials for treating degenerative diseases, retinal disorders, and certain blood conditions. With this achievement, currently undergoing validation and scientific characterization, the Foundation positions Morocco as a pioneering force in biotechnology and regenerative medicine.
