Skin cells have been turned into heart cells with the use of chemicals rather than genes being added. Hopefully, cells will be regenerated in the future with drugs rather than the controversial genetic engineering. Scientists at the Roddenberry Centre for Stem Cell Biology used tie chemicals to alter the cells to brain or heart cells.
According to Sheng Ding Ph.D., the aim is to use altered cells to treat Parkinson’s and heart failure by letting the body regenerate their own cells. It is an attempt to replicate the actions of salamanders and newts who are able to regenerate their parts. Heart transplants are not easy, and it will be a great improvement of the hearts’ own cells can be replicated.
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Nine drugs have been used in the process, and it was a trial and error that got the scientists to this point. Further drugs were used to turn the cells than into heart muscle cells. 97% of the cells take on the characteristics of heart cells and hormones receive the correct response. When implanted into a mouse, the cells took on the traits of heart cells.
Ideally, this is the way to treat heart failure in the future and reprogramming a person’s cells will be the safest way to do it. A second lot of tests found that it took ten days for the cells to rejuvenate and change, then the cells changed from one type to another. The study showed that chemicals can change the mechanical make-up of cells.
Story Via, GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
