State-of-the-art stem cell research to model brain diseases. Image The Chandran lab has developed protocols for the conversion of human stem cells into neural cell types, both neurons and glia. Using this "chemical cookery", human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from skin fibroblasts can be converted into functioning neurons and glia and grown in the lab. The derived neurons and glia can be used to study nerve cell function and response to stresses and drugs. Stem cells can also be used to model brain diseases "in a dish", by comparing iPSC-derived neurons and glia between patients and controls. Major disease targets being modelled using stem cells are: Neurodegenerative conditions (Siddharthan Chandran) Related Links MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine This article was published on 2024-08-27
