Uterine Oomph Fluid surrounding babies in the womb could be a valuable source of stem cells for medical treatment. Pregnant women often undergo a medical procedure known as amniocentesis (pictured) during the first trimester to test for genetic disorders such as Downs Syndrome. Stem cells from the fluid collected in this way have been analysed by researchers keen to find an alternative to using embryos. The trick is to source cells that retain the ability to develop into any adult cell type. Previous research has shown that adult stem cells can be reprogrammed to behave like their embryonic counterparts, but only by introducing extra genes into their DNA. Grown on a gelatinous protein mixture in the lab, the stem cells from pregnant donors were chemically reprogrammed into an immature, flexible state very like that of those from the embryo. Bone, liver and nerve cells were all successfully grown from the samples. Written by Brona McVittie — Copyright Science Photo Library Any re-use of this image must be authorised by Science Photo Library Research published in Molecular Therapy
Pop-upView Separately

Uterine Oomph

Fluid surrounding babies in the womb could be a valuable source of stem cells for medical treatment. Pregnant women often undergo a medical procedure known as amniocentesis (pictured) during the first trimester to test for genetic disorders such as Downs Syndrome. Stem cells from the fluid collected in this way have been analysed by researchers keen to find an alternative to using embryos. The trick is to source cells that retain the ability to develop into any adult cell type. Previous research has shown that adult stem cells can be reprogrammed to behave like their embryonic counterparts, but only by introducing extra genes into their DNA. Grown on a gelatinous protein mixture in the lab, the stem cells from pregnant donors were chemically reprogrammed into an immature, flexible state very like that of those from the embryo. Bone, liver and nerve cells were all successfully grown from the samples.

Written by Brona McVittie

—

Source: bit.ly

136 Notes/ Hide

  1. yurinash reblogged this from ohyeahdevelopmentalbiology
  2. ramble-bramble reblogged this from scientificillustration
  3. todaylour reblogged this from scientificillustration
  4. medicalexamination reblogged this from scientificillustration
  5. biologynerdynerd reblogged this from scientificillustration
  6. dicksdotcom reblogged this from scientificillustration
  7. love-among-the-tombstones reblogged this from scientificillustration
  8. genetic-anomalies reblogged this from scientificillustration
  9. gravitywinsagain reblogged this from frauluther
  10. popcornstars reblogged this from scientificillustration
  11. hannah-in-wonderland reblogged this from scientificillustration
  12. frauluther reblogged this from scientificillustration and added:
    PROBLEM ONE: This illustration does not depict amniocentesis, which is done transabdominally. This is what amniocentesis...
  13. lightsofmonterey reblogged this from scientificillustration
  14. rockthatrifle reblogged this from scientificillustration
  15. cjjc0 reblogged this from scientificillustration and added:
    This is awesome! No more controversy!
  16. a-sublime-vision reblogged this from scientificillustration
  17. epiphoral reblogged this from firesageshyu
  18. muudepara reblogged this from scientificillustration
  19. monsterface reblogged this from scientificillustration
  20. graphitenpixels reblogged this from scientificillustration
  21. aseaofshells reblogged this from scientificillustration
  22. eliusv reblogged this from scientificillustration
  23. pornographe reblogged this from scientificillustration