@ARTICLE{10.3389/fphys.2016.00127, AUTHOR={Poulou, Maria and Mandalos, Nikolaos P. and Karnavas, Theodoros and Saridaki, Marannia and McKay, Ronald D. G. and Remboutsika, Eumorphia}, TITLE={A “Hit and Run” Approach to Inducible Direct Reprogramming of Astrocytes to Neural Stem Cells}, JOURNAL={Frontiers in Physiology}, VOLUME={7}, YEAR={2016}, URL={https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2016.00127}, DOI={10.3389/fphys.2016.00127}, ISSN={1664-042X}, ABSTRACT={Temporal and spatial control of gene expression can be achieved using an inducible system as a fundamental tool for regulated transcription in basic, applied and eventually in clinical research. We describe a novel “hit and run” inducible direct reprogramming approach. In a single step, 2 days post-transfection, transiently transfected Sox2FLAG under the Leu3p-αIPM inducible control (iSox2) triggers the activation of endogenous Sox2, redirecting primary astrocytes into abundant distinct nestin-positive radial glia cells. This technique introduces a unique novel tool for safe, rapid and efficient reprogramming amendable to regenerative medicine.} }