Thymus cells transform into skin cells in Swiss laboratory
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 - 13:21
in Biology & Nature
Taking one type of cell and transforming it into another type is now possible. Cells taken from the thymus have been transformed into skin cells -- a discovery that may have important ramifications for the field of organ regeneration. The findings show that these stem cells change their genetic make-up according to their environment to contribute to the long-term functioning of the skin, even producing hair for up to a year after implantation.