Chicken Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells （iPSCs） generated using human reprogramming factors for developmental biology and disease research.Highlights： First nonmammalian iPSCs using human pluripotency genes rather than avian genesCapable of forming all 3 germ layers in vitro Demonstrated differentiation in culture into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neuronsCapable of generating live chimeric birds and incorporating into tissues from all 3 germ layers, extraembryonic tissues, and potentially the germlineInduced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） are highly proliferative populations capable of differentiating into multiple cell types and tissues representing all 3 germ layers and the germline. Similar to ESCs, mammalian iPSCs exhibit high levels of plasticity in both in vitro and in vivo environments. Avian embryonic models are useful for providing critical new insights into developmental biology including organ function, disease progression, eye disorders, and many others.
