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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Efficient Derivation of Human Neuronal Progenitors and Neurons from Pluripotent Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Small Molecule Induction
Published on: October 28, 2011
Neuronal Transdifferentiation in Humans: Protocols for Monocytes Conversion into Neuronal-Like Cells with Small
Kornelia Jankowska1, Saeid Ghavami2,3,4, Jolanta Hybiak1
1Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
Abstract:
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's, are major causes of disability. Current treatments are mostly symptomatic, due to a limited understanding of the disease mechanisms and the brain's poor regenerative capacity. Neuronal transdifferentiation offers a promising solution. Existing protocols are often inefficient, invasive, or time-consuming, and expensive. Furthermore, they mostly rely on nucleic acids as transdifferentiation-inducers, hence this carries risks of insertion mutagenesis. In this study, monocytes were isolated from buffy coats and cultured under four protocols using different small-molecule combinations. Two protocols successfully generated TUJ1+ MAP2+ SYP+ cells. Transdifferentiation is achievable through cheap and efficient chemical induction.
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