Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells have the ability to become any type of cell that you want. This is because they tap into the embryonic stages of cells where the determination of what kind of cell it is going to be is to undecided. Scientists do this by reprogramming certain cells using retroviruses so that they return to the embryonic stage and they can then be changed into certain cells to fight diseases. Or, they can be used to mimic diseases so that scientists can then study the diseases and learn to fight them.
The Stages of the iPSC:
Every cell must first undergo the Early Embryo Stage. This is when the cell is pluripotent, and can give way to any cell type.
Next is the Late Embryo Stage. Here is where the cell becomes multipotent, where it can become any cell within a certain range of tissue groups.
Thirdly is the Adult Stage. This is where the cell begins to form into a certain type of cell. Skin, hair, blood, etc...
Then the cells lock onto their certain type of cell and remain a mature body cell.
In the iPSC process, the mature cells are then reprogrammed and become iPSCs, reverting the cell back to the embryonic stage.
Here is a pic of what I just explained:
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