Skin Cells Turned Into Neural Precusors, Bypassing Stem-Cell Stage

Researchers at the Stanford University of Medicine has recently found that mice skin cells have the potential to be converted into three different cells that are directly related to the nervous system.Induced pluripotency has been used to transform skin cells directly into neural precursor cells, which can differentiate into not only neurons, but oligodendrocytes and astrocytes as well. The main usefulness of this process is the ability to make large amounts of these cells within the lab. The link below goes on to explain that one day it is possible to transplant these cells into humans, but may be an issue due to other factors.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130171907.htm