Chemical cues turn embryonic stem cells into cerebellar neurons

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When differentiated embryonic stem cells were implanted into the cerebellums of newborn mice (green) they migrated to the internal granule layer -- the area where fully differentiated granule neurons extend dendrites (bottom right). Credit: The Rocke ...
When differentiated embryonic stem cells were implanted into the cerebellums of newborn mice (green), they migrated to the internal granule layer -- the area where fully differentiated granule neurons extend dendrites (bottom right). Credit: The Rockefeller University

In order to differentiate and specialize, stem cells require very specific environmental cues in a very specific order, and scientists have so far been unable to prod them to go through each of the necessary steps. But now, for the first time, a study in mice by Rockefeller University scientists shows that embryonic stem cells implanted in the brain appear to develop into fully differentiated granule neurons, the most plentiful neuron in the cerebellum. The findings were reported Feb. 20 in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


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