Scientists create brain cells … from human urine

A new scientific study claims that human urine can be converted into brain cells. And the surprising discovery may extend beyond practical applications, allowing a way to circumvent the controversial debate over stem cell research.

The study, published online in Nature Methods and conducted by a team led by Chinese stem-cell biologist Duanqing Pei, found that cells generated from human waste might someday be used to study disease and even in therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Plus, there’s a potential added bonus to the discovery: Embryonic stem cells possess a high risk of developing tumors, which reportedly would not be an issue with cells taken from the urine samples.

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Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 8:49 AM

0 comments

  1. In my la-bor-a-tory, I’m attempting to use horse manure to create an old calypso singer. I know, I know, it’s already been done, but replication is at the heart of the scientific process. Maybe tomorrow, when daylight come, I shall have a working model.

    Steven

    • Steven (if that is your real name!), I can tell you’re making this up. Oh, wait a minute: You did say it’s been done. Never mind.

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