# Fat cells converted to stem cells

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-cells-converted-to-stem-cells/812026>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 8, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-cells-converted-to-stem-cells/812026 "2018-04-08T14:47:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-cells-converted-to-stem-cells/812026/1 "2018-04-08T14:47:31Z")

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From two years ago:

[Scientists develop ‘game changing’ stem cell repair system](https://phys.org/news/2016-04-scientists-game-stem-cell.html)

> [@](#):
>
> Study lead author, haematologist and UNSW Associate Professor John Pimanda, said the new technique, which reprograms bone and fat cells into induced multipotent stem cells (iMS), has been successfully demonstrated in mice.
> 
> “This technique is a significant advance on many of the current unproven stem cell therapies, which have shown little or no objective evidence they contribute directly to new tissue formation,” Associate Professor Pimanda said.
> 
> “We are currently assessing whether adult human fat cells reprogrammed into iMS cells can safely repair damaged tissue in mice, with human trials expected to begin in late 2017.”

I wonder how the human trials are going (if they’ve started). I wonder if it only works on bones, or if the technique can be used on organs?

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**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\
**Post date:** [April 8, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-cells-converted-to-stem-cells/812026/2 "2018-04-08T15:44:49Z")

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Even if the trials started on schedule, it’s probably still too early to really tell much of anything. I’m certainly hoping for a success story, but if they’re smart, they’ll keep quiet until absolutely every “i” is dotted and “t” is crossed.