One common area of research is how can we control the fate of our cells. Being able to control or change certain cells in our body could help cure diseases along with help people whose body may not be able to heal themselves like it should. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have been conducting such research and has had some success. The researchers used the cells of C. elegans to conduct their experiments. These researchers were able to take cells from the pharynx of C. elegans and change them into intestinal cells using a one step process. This process was used on of cells, but the pharynx cells were the only ones that were able to make this switch. The researchers are now trying to see what makes these pharynx cells able to make this switch, and if they can manipulate other cells into behaving the same way. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, do you think that this process could be helpful?
Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131204091618.htm
