Scientists have succeeded for the first time in converting stem cells from umbilical cord blood into other cell types, opening up new possibilities for treating nervous system diseases, including spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.

"This is the first time this has been achieved using non-embryonic stem cells. We are very excited about the possibilities this achievement opens up, as it bypasses the ethical hurdles we have with embryonic stem cells," said James Hickman, a bioengineer at the University of Central Florida and leader of the scientific team whose latest achievement is presented in the latest issue of the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience.

Using stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood for treatment does not raise ethical dilemmas, as the umbilical cord is discarded anyway. Another major advantage is that there is generally no immune system reaction to cells of this origin, which would make their application in the field of treatment simpler.
The main challenge in working with stem cells is discovering the chemical or other triggers that trigger their transformation into the desired cell type.

Professor James Hickman

When Hedvika Davis, a researcher in Hickman's lab, decided to transform stem cells taken from umbilical cords into oligodendrocytes—cells that insulate nerves in the brain and spinal cord and protect against nervous system diseases—she found that other teams had discovered components in oligodendrocytes that bind to the hormone norepinephrine, suggesting that the cells normally interact with this chemical and that this is one of the factors that stimulates their production.