View Full Version : What is transdifferentiation
veena123
Feb 28, 2008, 02:58 AM
Do somebody know about transdifferentiation... wht does that mean..
nicki143
Feb 28, 2008, 04:04 AM
Wikipedia has a page on this do not understand it myself but may help you
jem02081
Feb 28, 2008, 09:11 PM
The conventional model of differentiation is when a cell (stem cell) can develop into anther another cell typically be means of series of intermediate cell types. Each intermediate cell type has fewer choices in what it can become until; ultimately, the cell is committed to becoming 1 final / terminal / differentiated cell type. Think of a tree. The stem cell would be the trunk (stem) & the end of each branch would be a differentiated cell type.
Transdifferentiation is when a cell jumps from one branch to another. In the conventional model this doesn’t happen. Differentiation occurs when a cell can no longer form both cell types.
So does it happen naturally? I don’t know
Could a cell be bioengineered to transdifferentiate? Possibly
Ultimately, could a cell be engineered to produce all cell types?
oneguyinohio
Feb 28, 2008, 09:37 PM
I could be wrong, but I was thinking that researchers are trying to do this with stem cell research involving embryos... I could be way off on my thoughts... so if anyone knows please share as I love learning more about it...
What I had read is that they were working toward getting stem cells to be able to reproduce and repair damaged cells and tissues in the body... Is this the same process as transdifferentiation?