Japan Laboratory Discovers Stem Cell Scientist Faked Data to Arrive at Results

The Riken Center for Development in Japan found that biology researcher Haruko Obokata, the famed 30-year-old Japanese scientist, fabricated data in her groundbreaking stem cell study and has created an uproar in the scientific community.

Scientists at the Riken Center announced today that Obokata's study, which was published in the journal Nature back in January, was the result of image manipulation and data fabrication, specifically images of DNA fragments. These were once thought of as serious errors, but further examination revealed that it's most likely manipulation.

Obokata's STAP research, or stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency, found a new way to grow tissue and treat illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson's. After the experiment and findings were published, nobody was able to reproduce the experiment, alarming those at the Riken Center. As a result, they created a committee to investigate Obokata's team and their research.

On March 14, a Riken press release detailed their investigation of Obokata and the experiment. Their investigation began on February 20 where they began reviewing documents and other materials related to the study as well as Obokata herself and others associated with the study: Yoshiki Sasai (Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming at Riken); Hitoshi Niwa (Laboratory for Organogenesis and Neurogenesis at Riken); and Teruhiko Wakayama (Faculty member of University of Yamanashi).

The press release noted that the committee concluded: "There had been inappropriate handling of data for two of the items under investigation, but the circumstances were not judged to constitute research misconduct; and there are four items that are still being investigated, and a report will be issued once conclusions have been reached."

As of today, the committee made a decision based on their findings and Riken Institute's director Ryoji Noyori said he will "rigorously punish relevant people after procedures in a disciplinary committee," according to the Washington Post.

Obokata plans to file a complaint against the Riken Institute based on their allegations from this morning.