A new finding by Harvard stem cell biologists turns one of
the basics of neurobiology on its head -- demonstrating that it is possible to
turn one type of already differentiated neuron into another within the brain.
The discovery by Paola Arlotta and Caroline Rouaux
"tells you that maybe the brain is not as immutable as we always thought,
because at least during an early window of time one can reprogram the identity of
one neuronal class into another," said Arlotta, an Associate Professor in
Harvard's Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (SCRB).
The principle of direct lineage reprogramming of
differentiated cells within the body was first proven by SCRB co-chair and
Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) co-director Doug Melton and colleagues five
years ago, when they reprogrammed exocrine pancreatic cells directly into
insulin producing beta cells.