Identified key gene behind embryonic stem cells capability to originate any type of cell
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - 14:35
in Biology & Nature
A gene crucial for embryonic stem cell pluripotency (the capability to differentiate into any type of cell) is described in the next issue of the journal Nature1. The gene - called Chd1 – seems to act by maintaining the genetic material open and, in this way, poised to express any gene. Chd1 is also shown to be fundamental when re-activating differentiated tissue cells in order to create new stem cells. The discovery has implications, not only for a better understanding of stem cells unique characteristics, but also for the process of obtaining them from tissue-specific cells avoiding all the problems associated with embryonic stem cells. read more
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