For the first time, scientists have transplanted neural
cells derived from a monkey's skin into its brain and watched the cells develop
into several types of mature brain cells, according to the authors of a new
study in Cell Reports. After six months, the cells looked entirely normal, and
were only detectable because they initially were tagged with a fluorescent
protein.
Because the cells were derived from adult cells in each
monkey's skin, the experiment is a proof-of-principle for the concept of
personalized medicine, where treatments are designed for each individual.