Cell Reprogramming

Telling one type of cells to become another type.  Sounds interesting.  Doesn’t it?  Well, Some Harvard scientists have discovered a way to reprogram cells.  Harvard scientists “were able to turn ordinary mouse exocrine cells of the pancreas into beta cells, vital insulin-producing cells that die off in Type I diabetes patients. “  This basically means that they will be able to cure diabetes and possibly many others, including disease that affect the heart and the nervous system. 

This experiement has been successful in a mouse model and has not been proved to be successful in humans.  There still seems to be a long way to go go before this treatment method becomes practical for humans, but it is a good start.  Its possibilities may include making heart, nerve tissues and other vital organs from ordinary cells.  For further reading check out this article from The Harvard Crimson.