Genes & Cells: Science news of the year, 2008

The year's best stories on the parts of biology, from genes to bacteria

Embryonic stem cells are revealed in this artist's interpretation of an early developing embryo.
Embryonic stem cells are revealed in this artist’s interpretation of an early developing embryo.

Stem cell efforts take steps
Resetting no longer requires DNA-altering viruses

After the landmark achievement in late 2007 of reverting human adult skin cells to an embryonic stem cell–like state — a technique that does not involve creating or destroying human embryos — stem cell researchers have a new focus.