Species modification and stem cells

[ydoaPs]

IIRC, mammalian cloning works by swapping the nucleus of an ovum with that of a somatic cell.

 

What if one were to take a fetal stem cell of, say, a mouse and replace its nucleus with the nucleus of a human somatic cell? Would that even work? Would that cell become a human stem cell? Has this been done?

 

 

If it does work, then it could be a less politically volatile method of stem cell research.

[Mr Skeptic]

I believe this has been done for similar species, but I don't remember if it was successful. Somehow, I don't think it will work between a rodent and a primate. There'd probably be trouble due to not having the right transcription factors

[ydoaPs]

I was just using a mouse as an example. It would probably be more successful using a chimp.

[greenprogrammin]

I think you would have issues with the major histocompatability complex and the immune system which is embedded in the genetics.

 

I'm sure there would be some antigens that would interfere down the road while the cells develop.

 

Kinda like a host v graft transplant rejection.

 

I'm sure you could try to suppress the immune system.

 

But why?

 

Is there a benefit?

 

Does it out weigh the need for an immune system?

 

Does it out weigh the need for a foreign species cytoplasm?

 

If you refer to the dinosaur DNA (just for gigglez) and the reptile cell transfer then you have to think about the whole thing again.

 

You will most likely not have a dinosaur ovum or even a folicle.

Then you would have to implant any possible Dino DNA into the reptile ovum.

I think you would be better off taking the Dino DNA and use it for recombination.

Just horizontal transfer of DNA.

You can easily create more questions than answers with this subject.

Edited November 7, 2009 by greenprogrammin