Direct Reprogramming

While previous reports demonstrated that human sensory neurons could be directly converted from primitive CD34+ hematopoietic cells, the small scale and derivation from less abundant allogenic sources of cord or drug mobilized peripheral blood represented problems.

To explore the role of proNGF, the precursor of nerve growth factor (NGF), on the biology of adult neural stem cells (NSCs), researchers from the labs of Antonino Cattaneo

Researchers refine a chemical cocktail to four small molecule drugs and define the signaling pathways vital for astrocytes-neuron conversion

A new study suggests that direct reprogramming from blood to brain can boost our understanding of how complex genetic alterations can influence neuro-related diseases and disorders

A new study suggests that directly reprogrammed Schwann cells boast a similar regenerative activity to primary Schwann cells derived from patients

New research finds that directly reprogrammed neurons grown on a 3D growth substrate may represent a new means so boost survival and functionality after transplantation into the brain

A new computer program aims to streamline the process of direct reprogramming/transdifferentiation by predicting the reprogramming factors needed for any conversion

Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts using a thymus-specific transcription factor generates cell which mediate the formation of an entire organ upon transplantation in to a mouse model

Researchers uncover a mechanism to boost the direct reprogramming of somatic cells to functional induced neural cells using a signaling adaptor protein.

Findings published on October 4th 2012 in Cell Stem Cell, have shown it is possible to reprogramme mouse and human pericytes, brain cells typically found surrounding the endothelial cells of the brain’s capillary network, into neurons. The results from Benedikt Berninger’s group at the Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich could have potential therapeutic implications for patients with traumatic and degenerative brain disorders.