Japanese scientist Teruhiko Wakayama, whose research in the field of stem cells was called «groundbreaking», announced, that the findings should be withdrawn amid doubts over its accuracy.

It was reported in January that dipping cells in acid could cheaply and quickly convert them into stem cells.

But questions were raised about the images used in the scientific report and other research groups have failed to reproduce the results, reports BBC.

Study author Teruhiko Wakayama said: «It is no longer clear what is right».

It is known that stem cells can turn into any other type of cells, and this ability has become a major area of ​​research in regenerative medicine.

The method described in Nature journal by the scientists, became a huge story around the world and was described as "remarkable" and as a "major scientific discovery".

According to the research, the stem cells could be obtained not only by nucleation and expensive laboratory manipulation. It was assumed, that immersion of blood cells in acid could quickly convert them into stem cells.

The data from study have not been refuted, but were subjected to serious scrutiny.

Professor Wakayama announced in his interview to Japanese TV, «When conducting the experiment, I believed it was absolutely right».

 «But now that many mistakes have emerged, I think it is best to withdraw the research paper once and, using correct data and correct pictures, to prove once again the paper is right,» he said.