title: Small Molecules Take a Big Step by Converting Fibroblasts into Neurons.
abstract: Direct lineage conversion could provide a rich source of somatic cell types for translational medicine, but concerns over the use of transgenic reprogramming factors have limited its potential. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Li et al. (2015) and Hu et al. (2015) identify small-molecule cocktails that can convert fibroblasts into functional neurons without exogenous genetic factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Babos
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. Electronic address: ichida@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Justin K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ichida
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000187:drug effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D054852:Small Molecule Libraries