Resemble skin cells to neurons

Scientists at Stanford University were able to alter skin cells by introducing four proteins

 

This process did not require reprogramming of cells to become mothers if not a direct way to become neurons (Foto: Archivo EL UNIVERSAL )

Sunday May 29, 2011 Redacción | El Universal22:37

Researchers at the School of Medicine at Stanford University were able to create skin cells behave like neurons.
The work was accomplished through the manipulation of the process by which DNA transfers information from the skin cells in the fetus, so the newspaper said the BBC.
Scientists worked with a genetically modified virus to which were added four proteins also known as transcription factors in fetal cells of the skin.
When introduced transfer factors found that the compounds became a small portion of skin cells into cells that reacted neurons.
This technique had been tested and used in mice, and now could help in the investigation of neurological diseases, the researchers wrote in the journal Nature.
Marius Wernig, director of research, said the discovery is unique because it was known that a cell could become specialized cell, but not a cell could transform into another cell type.
Considers that this development will serve to create disease models in which a patient's cells to help counter the effects of neurological disease.
Compared to other studies this process did not require reprogramming of cells to convert them into stem cells.
Medical progressTransplantation of these cells may be as studies have the capacity to produce neurons of the correct type.
Unlike other studies, this has already been tested in humans and animals not only in animals when it is transferred usually be some differences that prevent their application in combating human disease.