Neurons Created Directly From Skin Cells 231
alx5000 writes "The Times is running a story about a neurologic breakthrough that could revolutionise treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's: Neurons have been created directly from skin cells for the first time. Quoting neurobiologist Professor Jack Price: 'This suggests that there are no great rules — you can reprogramme anything into anything else.' The article also points out that this method could work around the ethical issues surrounding embryonic stem-cell research."
Perfect explanation (Score:2, Funny)
Re:sweet (Score:5, Funny)
It all depends on where they get the skin, and from whom.
Cheers! (Score:5, Funny)
Neurons have been created directly from skin cells for the first time.
This research counters all the arguments that people shouldn't do drugs because they kill brain cells. Now that we know how to create new brain cells, there is no excuse for not being stoned. And bike riders can now throw away there helmets. Science brings freedom back to democracy.
Re:Perfect explanation (Score:2, Funny)
If your brain was repaired with foreskin neurons, someone could call you smeghead and it wouldn't be an insult.
So... how long... (Score:5, Funny)
clearly scientists know nothing about marketing (Score:5, Funny)
He'd be great in a commercial, "Hi, I'm Michael J. Fox. You may have noticed that I'm a lot less shaky these days and I also have a giant wang now. I owe it all to Dr. Jack." Boom! Instant Nobel Prize.
So: sweet (Score:4, Funny)
I've heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Perfect explanation (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Embryonic stem cells shouldn't be replaced (Score:3, Funny)
Yes, apparently there was a bunch of stuff that you missed. Don't worry about it though.
Re:clearly scientists know nothing about marketing (Score:3, Funny)
"horny old fat people have tons of money."
This "money" of which you speak, when do I get it?
Re:Using skin cells as a base ingredient (Score:4, Funny)
Re:So... how long... (Score:3, Funny)
I could be wrong, but I think I remember hearing that male pattern baldness wasn't caused by a loss of hair follicle stem cells, it was caused by a loss of signaling in the niche the hair cells reside in.
I guess it's possible that induced pluripotent stem cells could be used to make new scalp, including the niches, and then you could put that on, essentially resetting the clock so you'd have 20 or so more years of hair.
(Disclaimer, I heard a seminar on baldness and stem cells over a year ago, so that could be outdated in addition to partially forgotten. Don't clone yourself, scalp him, and then sue me because you went bald in under a year.)
Re:Cheers! (Score:1, Funny)
"there helmets"? You were trying to be funny or perhaps you need some new brain cells.
Re:Religious issue (Score:1, Funny)
When an anti-stem cell touches a normal stem cell, they both disappear in a violent burst of energy.
Re:That's awesome! (Score:3, Funny)
I’m happy for those with MS & Macular Degeneration...
Yes. MS is a really ugly disease. You get this colorful “buttons” all over the surface, and it gets harder and harder to to basic stuff. You basically become a dumbed-down zombie after a time, unable to achieve anything. Locked down in your cage of point and click on Playmobil interfaces giving you macular degeneration.
Thank god for Linux.