Tiny patch that could revolutionise treatment of Parkinson’s disease

A futuristic device has been unveiled that could cure a variety of diseases – with a single touch.

The tiny patch – no bigger than a cufflink – is set to revolutionise treatment of heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and other illnesses, say scientists.

Experiments on mice and pigs have been so successful the technique – which takes “a fraction of a second and is non-invasive” could be used on humans within months.

It works by injecting DNA into skin cells – switching their function to rescue failing organs in any part of the body. The technology – dubbed TNT (Tissue Nanotransfection) – may allow doctors to grow brain cells on a patient’s skin.

They could then harvest them and inject them into the brain to treat dementia or Parkinson’s.

In animals the technique turned skin cells into vascular cells – boosting blood flow and saving badly wounded legs.

The researchers were even able to grow brain cells on the skin surface of a mouse, harvest them and inject them into its injured brain.

Just a few weeks after having a stroke brain function was restored – and the mouse was healed.

The technique works by injecting skin cells with genetic code – proteins known as DNA or RNA – that changes them into other types of cells that can then be used to treat disease.

Dr Chandan Sen, a specialist in regenerative medicine at Ohio State University, said: “By using our novel nanochip technology injured or compromised organs can be replaced.

“We have shown skin is a fertile land where we can grow the elements of any organ that is declining,”

Dr Sen added: “With this technology, we can convert skin cells into elements of any organ with just one touch.”