These images illustrate a wide range of brain cells which have been generated from human skin cells, through cell reprogramming. This research team has generated several specific brain cells, as well as ‘mini’ brain structures. They use this technology to generate brain cells from individuals with neurological disease, so specific aspects of disease can be studied.

 Incredibly, this team is looking at the potential to transplant healthy brain cells generated from the individuals own skin cells, as a replacement therapy to treat conditions resulting in degeneration of the healthy brain, like Huntington's or Parkinson's disease.

This research is being conducted in the Neural Reprogramming and Repair Lab at the University of Auckland, under Professor Bronwen Connor. They focus largely on the identification and development of strategies to treat brain injury or disease. Using this cell reprogramming technology, this research group is investigating the cause of brain diseases with an aim to identify and test new drug targets, as well as the potential to use this technology for brain cell replacement therapy. They hope this research will ultimately improve the quality of life for those with neurological disease, brain injury and mental health disorders.