It is already possible to transform one type of adult cell directly into another. Fibroblasts, for instancec, can be converted into neurons. The technique for doing so is called direct cell reprogramming and, so far, only a few scientific teams in the world are working with this method. Although it is still in its infancy, this research has a clear purpose - to produce cells à la carte for therapeutic purposes.

Patricia Moreno | 11 May 2010