Converting obj to same type

ConvertingObj.cs

        private static T ConvertType<T>(object instance)
        {
            if (instance == null)
            {
                throw new ArgumentNullException("instance");
            }

            var typeSource = instance.GetType();
            var typeDestination = typeof(T);

            T result = default(T);

            // We're using a Memorystream for the serialization magic
            using (var ms = new MemoryStream())
            {
                //  Create the serializer for the incoming type
                var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeSource);

                //  Create a XML text writer, and serialize the incomming instance to memory
                var tw = new XmlTextWriter(ms, Encoding.UTF8);
                serializer.Serialize(tw, instance);

                //  Rewind the MemoryStream to the beginning.
                ms.Position = 0;

                //  Now, create the deserializer for the destination type
                var deserializer = new XmlSerializer(typeDestination);

                using (var reader = new XmlTextReader(ms))
                {
                    try
                    {
                        result = (T)deserializer.Deserialize(reader);
                    }
                    catch (Exception ex)
                    {
                        throw new ApplicationException(String.Format("Converting from type: {0}->{1} failed", typeSource.FullName, typeDestination.FullName), ex);
                    }
                }
            }

            return result;
        }