Scientists grow brain cells from skin: Cancer cells and stem cells share same origin, research shows
Monday, July 18, 2011 - 17:30
in Biology & Nature
Oncogenes are generally thought to be genes that, when mutated, change healthy cells into cancerous tumor cells. Scientists have proven that those genes also can change normal cells into stem-like cells, paving the way to a safer and more practical approach to treating diseases like multiple sclerosis and cancer with stem cell therapy. Researchers successfully converted human skin cells into brain cells by suppressing the expression of p53, a protein encoded by a widely studied oncogene. This suggests that p53 mutation helps determine cell fate -- good or bad -- rather than only the outcome of cancer.