Genetic Update Conference
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have successfully created human primordial germ cells (PGC) from pluripotent stem cells. These are the cells that will form the ova in females and sperm in males. Previously this had only been done with mouse and rat stem cells.
The implications of this work is of major future significance. Read more in these articles from SCIENCE DAILY and CELL.
Researchers at Indiana University, et. al., have demonstrated a technique for editing and removing a harmful gene from mouse spermatogonial cells and replacing the it with a normal version of the gene. This is a ‘Proof of Concept’ paper that could have major future implications for basic research and gene therapy. Read more…
The prevalence of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been estimated to be:
However, a new evaluation of first grade students in Sioux Falls, South Dakota indicates these numbers may have been underestimated.
FASD is on a continuum from very mild effects, due to small amounts of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, to very severe effects (FAS) from heavy maternal alcohol consumption. This new study looked at first graders with both cognitive and dysmorphologic testing and found pFAS to be present in 2.4% to 4.8% of students evaluated = ~1/35!
Read a related SCIENCE DAILY Article
The UK’s Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) is the world’s largest nationwide and genome-wide diagnostic sequencing program which has lead to the discovery of twelve previously unknown genetic syndromes and their causative genes.
An evaluation of 1133 families, the beginning of 12,000 future family tests, found 12 new causative genes for syndromes that had been previously unrecognized. The analysis was done by trio exome analysis – comparing the genome of an affected child with the genomes of their normal parents. All of the newly discovered disorders were caused by new ‘de novo’ mutations that were present in the child but not in the parents – indicating the mutation probably occurred in the formation of an egg or sperm in the parents. This is an example of a condition that is genetic but not inherited!
To read related SCIENCE DAILY article CLICK HERE
To read related article in NATURE, CLICK HERE