Chimera cells could trigger “host” of advances
Friday December 4th 2020
In a discovery straight out of myth and science fiction, researchers have announced the discovery of stem cells that could be used to create “chimera” animals and organs derived from mixed species.
The researchers in Dallas, Texas, USA, said their discovery opened the way for a “host” of
advances in biology, medicine and reproductive technology.
One of the immediate applications might be to help preserve endangered species or restore extinct species.
The cells could contribute to interspecies chimeras, organisms that contain a mix of cells from different species, the researchers say.
The intermediate pluripotent stem cells have been created from mice, horses and humans, the researchers said. They have named them XPSCs.
The finding has been reported in Cell Stem Cell. During the research, the scientists injected horse XPSCs into early mouse embryos and found they contributed to mouse organ development.
Researcher Dr Jun Wu of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said: "These XPSCs have enormous potential. Our study helps open the door to each of these possibilities."
Derivation of Intermediate Pluripotent Stem Cells Amenable to Primordial Germ Cell Specification. Cell Stem Cell 2 December 2020
Tags: General Health | North America
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