Awakening the human genome could be studied using a new stem cell population according to a study at the Babraham Institute, published in the journal Nature. Stem Cells Cells.
The early mammalian embryo undergoes a number of molecular events immediately after fertilization set the stage for the rest of development. In this course ‘wake up’ The embryo’s genome controls cellular activities from the mother’s genome.
‘The new discovery of the stem cell model enables the mapping of important genomic changes during early development, thereby improving the understanding of developmental disorders and embryo loss.’
In humans, this occurs at the 8-cell stage (called zygotic genomic activation – ZGA). Study describes a new subset of human embryonic stem cells that closely resemble those present in the genome ‘wake call’ of Human 8-cell embryonic stage.
“Our focus now is to characterize these cells and understand their unique properties so that we can use 8 cells as a tool to question these changes.” Molecular changes can cause developmental problems at this early stage.” Professor Wolf Reik, team leader of the Babraham Institute, said.
Source: Medindia
