Taking the piss out of stem cell squabblers

Human neural stem cells hold great promise for research and therapy in neural disease. We describe the generation of integration-free and expandable human neural progenitor cells (NPCs). We combined an episomal system to deliver reprogramming factors with a chemically defined culture medium to reprogram epithelial-like cells from human urine into NPCs (hUiNPCs). These transgene-free hUiNPCs can self-renew and can differentiate into multiple functional neuronal subtypes and glial cells in vitro. Although functional in vivo analysis is still needed, we report that the cells survive and differentiate upon transplant into newborn rat brain. [via Article, IMG]

Meaning researchers have developed a method that transforms the cells in human urine into precursors of brain cells. The idea: cells from urine > than stem cells since they are easier to get and the risk of embryonic tumor development isn’t a concern. Also, it’s a crafty way for lemon party goers to support and fund raise for neurodegenerative treatment research.