Regulating single protein prompts fibroblasts to become neurons
Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 13:00
in Health & Medicine
Repression of a single protein in ordinary fibroblasts is sufficient to directly convert the cells -- abundantly found in connective tissues -- into functional neurons. The findings could have far-reaching implications for the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.