Aspects of the present invention are drawn to compositions of somatic cells with innate potential for pluripotency (SCIPP). SCIPP have the capacity to differentiate into functional derivatives of each of the major germ layers (i.e., ectodermal, endodermal and mesodermal). Also provided are methods and kits for identifying and isolating the somatic cells from a subject as well as for employing SCIPP for research or therapeutic purposes.

The present invention provides a method for generating somatic stem cells out of differentiated cells, somatic stem cells obtained by this method and a vector or composition for use in this method.