MIT researchers develop revolutionary process to convert skin cells directly into neurons, bringing new hope in treatment of spinal cord injuries and ALS!
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an innovative method that can convert skin cells directly into functional neurons. This innovation paves the way for new hopes for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal cord injuries, providing a faster and more effective way for cell replacement therapies.
Until now, generating neurons from skin cells required a two-step process: first, skin cells are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can turn into any type of cell, and then these are converted into neurons. The new method developed by the MIT team does not require creating iPSCs, but instead directly converts skin cells into neurons. This method not only speeds up the process but also increases its efficiency.
Led by Kersey Galloway, the W.M. Keck Career Development Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at MIT, the research team tested the technique using mice cells and achieved positive results. The new method proved highly effective, generating more than 10 neurons from a single skin cell. With further improvements in the technique, it could pave the way for mass production of motor neurons, which could be a vital resource for patients suffering from diseases such as spinal cord injuries and motor disabilities.
One of the most unique aspects of this discovery is that it offers the possibility of functional restoration in damaged nerve fibers. In a key experiment, the team showed that the newly generated motor neurons successfully integrated into the mouse brain, raising the possibility that it could restore motor function in neurological conditions such as ALS. This opens up new opportunities for cell replacement therapies, which could have significant implications for treating ALS, where motor neuron loss is a devastating element.
The research is published in Cell Systems and received funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Lead author Nathan Wang, a graduate student at MIT, and his team are now working on adapting the process for human cells. If successful, it could rapidly accelerate research into treatments for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
While clinical trials based on iPSC-derived neurons are already underway for treatments for ALS, MIT’s new method offers a faster and more scalable process. As the team refines the technique, it is expected to not only advance research faster but also bring it closer to therapeutic applications for people affected by spinal cord injuries, ALS and similar motor problems.
This revolutionary procedure could transform the field of regenerative medicine, opening up new avenues for restoring nervous system function and providing new hope for millions of people who suffer from these disabilities.
