Japan stem cell scientist stands by 'phony' research

Haruko Obokata blamed her youth and inexperience for errors in her methodology but insisted her conclusions on stem cells were accurate

BLAME IT ON YOUTH? Haruko Obokata, 30, a female researcher of Japan's Riken Institute wipes away tears during a press conference in Osaka, western Japan on April 9, 2014. Photo by AFP/Jiji Press

TOKYO, Japan A young female scientist accused of fabricating data made a tearful apology live on Japanese television Wednesday, April 9, for "mistakes" in her research, but insisted her ground-breaking conclusions on stem cells were accurate.

Haruko Obokata, 30, blamed her youth and inexperience for errors in her methodology, but said she had managed to create the building-block cells capable of growing into the specialized cells of the brain, liver, heart or kidneys.

"I apologize with my whole heart to my co-authors... and many others for causing trouble because of my insufficient efforts, ill-preparedness and unskilfulness," a visibly shaken Obokata told a press conference.

"To many people there may be too many unbelievable mistakes, but that does not affect the conclusion," she said.

Obokata was feted as a modern-day Marie Curie after unveiling research that showed a simple way to re-program adult cells to become a kind of stem cell.

So-called Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency (STAP) cells were hailed as a breakthrough that could provide a ready supply of the base material for much-needed transplant tissue, at minimal cost.

Campaigners said it represented a leap forward in the fight against degenerative diseases.

If the science was important, Obokata's profile a young woman in a world dominated by middle-aged men proved irresistable to Japan's media.

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Japan stem cell scientist stands by 'phony' research