Yamanaka genes are group of four essential genes in our body that are responsible for regenerating old cells or growing new cells.They are also know as OSKM(Oct4,Sox2,Klf4 &Myc) & are named after Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka.
Significance of Yamanaka Genes:
Major significance is that the introduction of these genes can convert adult cells into pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stems are the cells that can propagate indefinitely & can give rise to different types of cells in body like neurons, heart, pancreatic & liver cells.They are also called as Induced pluripotent stem cells(IPS cells) & can be used to replace damaged or lost cells.
Applications of Yamanaka Genes:
1.Red blood cells: they can be used for RBC generation as type O red blood cells are synthsized from iPSC developed with Yamanaka genes
2.Identification of disease & drug : iPS cells can be derive directly from adult patients & can be used for investigation of diseases and their drugs.
3.Organ synthesis: skin,blood or others cells can be reprogrammed to iPS cells with the help of Yamanka genes and can be used to grow liver cells, neurons etc needed to treat a particular disease.