RESUMEN
It has been proposed that age reprogramming enables old cells to be rejuvenated without passage through an embryonicstage (Singh and Zacouto in J. Biosci. 35 315–319, 2010). As such, age reprogramming stands apart from the inducedpluripotent stem (iPS) and nuclear transfer-embryonic stem (NT-ES) cell therapies where histo-compatible cells are produced only after passage through an embryonic stage. It avoids many of the disadvantages associated with iPS and NT-EScell therapies. Experimental evidence in support of age reprogramming is burgeoning. Here, we discuss possible newapproaches to enhance age reprogramming, which will have considerable benefits for regenerative therapies.
RESUMEN
Nestmate recognition is one the most important features in social insect colonies. Although epicuticular lipids or cuticular hydrocarbons have both structural and defensive functions in insects, they also seem to be involved in several aspects of communication in wasps, bees and ants. We analyzed and described for the first time the cuticular hydrocarbons of a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan, and found that variation in hydrocarbon profile was sufficiently strong to discriminate individuals according to their colony membership. Therefore, it seems that small differences in the proportion of these compounds can be detected and used as a chemical-based cue by nestmates to detect invaders and avoid usurpation.