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Neurons Created Directly From Skin Cells

Posted by timothy on from the largest-organ-of-the-body dept.

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."

16 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. Perfect explanation by srussia · · Score: 2, Funny

    So that's why they cut of the foreskin.

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    1. Re:Perfect explanation by Ukab+the+Great · · Score: 1, Funny

      If your brain was repaired with foreskin neurons, someone could call you smeghead and it wouldn't be an insult.

    2. Re:Perfect explanation by negRo_slim · · Score: 1, Funny

      It's not only neurons and nerve endings but the very real fact it's going to look like a loose old sock uncut.

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      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
  2. Re:sweet by gestalt_n_pepper · · Score: 4, Funny

    It all depends on where they get the skin, and from whom.

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  3. Cheers! by Anonymous Coward · · 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.

    1. Re:Cheers! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      "there helmets"? You were trying to be funny or perhaps you need some new brain cells.

  4. So... how long... by mafian911 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...until this technology can be used to regrow luscious locks of hair for balding people? Just asking... for a friend... .

    1. Re:So... how long... by interkin3tic · · Score: 2, 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.)

  5. clearly scientists know nothing about marketing by rev_sanchez · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sick people don't have money because they spend it all on hospitals and medicine but horny old fat people have tons of money. If Dr. Jack wants some serious grant money he'd better try to turn fat cells in boner cells. He can use some of that cash to help him make Michael J. Fox less shaky and hell, why not give him a giant wang while he's at it.

    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.

    --
    If you didn't come to party don't bother knocking on my door. Prince '1999'
    1. Re:clearly scientists know nothing about marketing by couchslug · · Score: 2, Funny

      "horny old fat people have tons of money."

      This "money" of which you speak, when do I get it?

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  6. So: sweet by HeckRuler · · Score: 4, Funny

    Fine, fine, I accept the mod. I still say eating babies is funny, but there's no excuse for misspelling "smartest". That's just dum.

  7. I've heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve... by Falstaft · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...but your brain?

  8. Re:Embryonic stem cells shouldn't be replaced by abigor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, apparently there was a bunch of stuff that you missed. Don't worry about it though.

  9. Re:Using skin cells as a base ingredient by ChrisMaple · · Score: 3, Funny

    So you want to take your body cells from where the sun doesn't shine.

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  10. Re:Religious issue by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    When an anti-stem cell touches a normal stem cell, they both disappear in a violent burst of energy.

  11. Re:That's awesome! by Hurricane78 · · Score: 2, 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.

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    Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.