Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have changed human skin cells into cells that produce insulin. They accomplished this by reprogramming skin cells into pluripotent stem cells or cells that can give rise to any other fetal or adult cell type. The scientists then transformed the cells into cells that can perform a particular function, such as secreting insulin. Due to the shortage of organ donors for beta cell implants (types of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin), this research holds great therapeutic promise for people with diabetes and a hope for a cure. Of course, it may take years to come to fruition, but it is an exciting start. For further information please visit the following link: