Data falsified in stem-cell ‘breakthrough’ paper

The research from the Riken Centre for Development Biology in Kobe, western Japan, had been hailed as a possible breakthrough for growing tissue to treat illnesses such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease using a simple lab procedure. But significant discrepancies in research published in January in the scientific journal Nature led a panel of scientists at Riken to conclude that they stemmed from falsified data.

They said researcher Haruko Obokata, lead author of the paper in Nature, had manipulated or falsified images of DNA fragments used in the research.

“The investigation committee has concluded that Ms Obokata is responsible for manipulation and therefore for research malpractice,” said Shunsuke Ishii, the Riken scientist who led the committee charged with investigating allegations that the work was falsified.

Ms Obokata, in a statement also issued through Riken, vehemently objected to the committee’s findings.

“I was outraged and shocked by the committee’s report,” she said. “I cannot accept the finding, and I intend to make an appeal to Riken in coming days.”

Juliette Savin, a spokeswoman for Riken, said she could not comment on Ms Obokata’s employment status.

Last month, Riken director Ryoji Noyori said misconduct by researchers would result in “strict disciplinary action as stipulated by our own regulations”.

The institute said it would take months to determine whether the stem cell findings were valid regardless of any questions about the data. Ms Obokata asserts the findings are genuine.

The dispute over the research is a setback for government efforts to market Japan’s research and development expertise as a 21st century industry needed to revitalise the country’s manufacturing.