An Amazing New Ways To Efficiently Convert Skin Cells Into Brain Cells

The possibility of making new brain cells out of skin cells is astounding to say the least. A few years ago the idea of stem cell research was put in the same place as abortion and many are still against it for that reason. On August 2nd 2011 an article was released in the scientific journal Cell Stem Cell, by Sheng Ding, PhD which shows amazing new ways to efficiently convert skin cells into brain cells possibly opening the door for new Alzheimer's treatments. This could also be a new stem cell research breakthrough because it would take the stigma out of needing stem cells, if we can convert regular stem cells to brain cells then we will be able to move on to heart cells, liver cells or lung cells; any cell in your body which needs replacing or replenishing will be taken care of. The average person sloshes off hundreds of thousands of skin cells every day making them plentiful enough for research and development.

"This work could have important ramifications for patients and families who suffer at the hands of neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease," said Lennart Mucke, MD, who directs neurological research at Gladstone. "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."(Lund)

Processes for graphing cells on scaffolding and building new kidneys and ears have been around and in use for a while, which means as soon as the new process of converting cells is perfected we will be able to build organs from any type of cell. While the techniques for converting cells are still very much under development, the theories behind them are legitimate and worth the research dollars. This new research will not only provide solutions to neurological diseases but also hopefully be the newest in cancer treatment allowing us to further manipulate cells. While this is all exciting we must remember that this is not new news, Doctor Ding has revolutionized this process making it that much closer to reality. While the prospect of seeing something like this in treatment may be a ways away, the fact that it is within our realm of possibility is amazing.


Citing:


Lund University (2011, June 13). New genetic technique converts skin cells into brain cells.

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