Human skin cells 'converted into functioning brain cells'
Friday 29th July 2011
A scientist from the Gladstone Institutes has found a novel way to convert human skin cells into brain cells, according to research.
The study, published in research Cell Stem Cell, reported a successful method for transforming adult skin cells into neurons capable of transmitting brain signals.
It was carried out by Dr Sheng Ding in one of the first recorded experiments for transforming an adult human's skin cells into functioning brain cells.
Lennart Mucke, of Gladstone, said: "Dr. Ding's latest research offers new hope for the process of developing medications for these diseases, as well as for the possibility of cell-replacement therapy to reduce the trauma of millions of people affected by these devastating and irreversible conditions."
In other news, stem cell therapy could be used to restore cognition in some brain cancer patients, according to a study published in Cancer Research.
Written by James Puckle
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