Adult skin cells are converted into beating heart cells efficiently without generating embryonic-like stem cells, revealed by researchers.
Scripps Research Institute scientists have converted adult skin cells directly into beating heart cells efficiently without having to first go through the laborious process of generating embryonic-like stem cells.
The powerful general technology platform could lead to new treatments for a range of diseases and injuries involving cell loss or damage, such as heart disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The work was published January_30, 2011, in an advance, online issue of Nature Cell Biology.
“This work represents a new paradigm in stem cell reprogramming,” said Scripps Research Associate Professor Sheng Ding, Ph.D., who led the study. “We hope it helps overcome major safety and other technical hurdles currently associated with some types of stem cell therapies.”
Making Stem Cells
As the human body develops, embryonic-like stem cells multiply and transform themselves into m…