Stem cell research has enabled mice to be reproduced from two dads. (Photo Credit: CC BY/joost j. bakker/Flickr)

While human stem cell research in the U.S. continues to struggle to secure adequate funding, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, is making advances with mice. According to Physorg.com, Dr. Richard Berhringer has produced male and female mice from two fathers using stem cell technology. The study was posted today in the scientific journal Biology of Reproduction.

Stem cell technology: A kaleidoscope of possibilities

Using stem cell technology in this way could have wide-ranging effects on the way a multitude of genetics and animal husbandry problems are handled, suggest scientists. For instance, preserving endangered species using the stem cell techniques Dr. Berhringer used with the two male mice in the study would likely be possible, as would enhancing livestock and improving human assisted reproductive technology. Not only that, but same-sex couples could conceivably have their own genetic children. It’s science fiction that could soon become science fact.

How Richard Berhringer did it

In a nutshell, Richard Berhringer’s team changed fibroblasts (cells from which connective tissue forms) from a male mouse fetus (XY chromosomes) to produce an induced pluripotent stem (iPS; stem cells with a forced expression of selected genes) cell line. According to Physorg.com, approximately 1 percent of the iPS colonies spontaneously lost the Y chromosome, creating XO cells. These XO iPS cells were subsequently inserted into donor female blastocysts (early development embryos). These blastocysts were put into surrogate mothers, which gave birth to female XO/XX chimeras (mice with two distinctly different populations of genetically distinct cells).

Bring in the two dads

The chimeras were then mated with two normal male mice. The resulting litter included both male and female mice; both expressed the genetic contributions of the two dads. Essentially, iPS stem cell technology enabled Richard Berhringer and team to combine the genes from two males to create male and female children.

By extension, Berhringer theorizes that the techniques used in the study could be used to combine desirable genetic traits without involving females in the final cross-breeding, a concept that would inevitably stir controversy; the iPS process could also work with two mothers. Further research is necessary before scientists will know whether stem cell technology of this nature will have therapeutic application in humans.

Sources

Biology of Reproduction

Physorg.com

Douglas Melton on stem cells and cloning

Patients with severe spinal cord injuries hope the first human clinical trial of embryonic stem cell therapy is proven safe and effective. Image: a.drian's/Flickr

Embryonic stem cell research took a major step forward last week with the first human clinical trial. The patient, who has a severe spinal cord injury, was injected with embryonic stem cells at the site of the trauma. The clinical trial, which will test 10 patients for a period of two years, will be used to determine if the treatment is safe for humans.

Privately funded stem cell research

The human clinical trial using embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries is being directed by Geron Corp., a biopharmaceutical company based in Menlo Park, Calif. The Washington Post reports that the patient, who is partially paralyzed by a spinal cord injury, had millions of embryonic stem cells injected into the site of the damage at an Atlanta hospital. The privately funded clinical trial is a milestone in stem cell research, but promises to be controversial in the wake of a renewed ban on federal funds for the research, imposed by a district court in August. The Justice Department is appealing.

Hope for patients with spinal cord injuries

The human test of embryonic stem cell therapy is called a Phase I trial. The Los Angeles Times reports that Phase I intends to determine the safety of the treatment, which was tested extensively on animal subjects. Up to 10 patients with spinal cord injuries between the third and 10th thoracic vertebrae will be tested. The stem cells must be injected no later than 14 days after the injury occurred. Before injection, the stem cells, which can develop into any type of cell in the body, are transformed into “glial” cells that insulate nerve fibers. Scientists are betting that by growing the coating that protects nerve cells, signals may be allowed to travel through the spinal cord once again.

A possible cure for paralysis

The embryonic stem cells should behave like they are in the womb building the spine in a fetus, according to Geron CEO Dr. Thomas Okarma. Okarma told CNN that the process resembles fixing an electrical cable. If the outer fibers are damaged and wire is exposed, the cable shorts out. With a spinal cord injury, the glial cells penetrate the fibers and reinsulate the nerve, much like patching a cable. The result could be permanent repair of the damage causing the paralysis. The goal is to bring a patient from complete paralysis to a point where they can respond to physical therapy.

The justice department will appeal a judge's decision reinstating a ban on stem cell research that promises to be an issue in upcoming midterm elections. Dinesh Cyanam/Flickr photo.

A ban on stem cell research is back in the limelight, just in time for the midterm elections. A U.S. district judge once again blocked federal funding for embryonic stem cell research on Aug. 23. Researchers backed by Christian organizations sued to overturn an executive order issued by President Obama permitting federal funds for embryonic stem cell research. Obama’s executive order overturned a ban imposed by George W. Bush in 2001. By siding with the plaintiffs, the judge derailed planned research on cures for diseases like diabetes, Alzheimers and Parkinson’s. The scientific community is outraged. The administration is planning an appeal. Politicians on both sides of the aisle are contemplating the usefulness of the issue.

Stem cell research set back 10 years

A judge’s decision to renew the ban on federally funded embryonic stem cell research caught the scientific community by surprise. The suit was brought by Nightlight Christian Adoptions and other religious organizations. A pair of researchers claimed that directing federal funds for embryonic stem cell research discriminated against scientists using adult stem cells. A U.S. News and World Report article said that the temporary injunction cripples embryonic stem cell research by setting it back 10 years. Susan Solomon, CEO of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, told U.S. News that the court decision “allows a vocal minority to hold science hostage to a narrow political agenda.”

Politicians examine how to exploit stem cell issue

The Justice Department said it will appeal the judge’s decision. The Wall Street Journal reports that supporters of embryonic stem cell research in Congress are exploring ways to maintain federal funding. Political operatives are exploring the utility of the issue. A Republican strategist told the Journal that stem cell research may help motivate loyal anti-abortion voters, but jobs will get more attention. The issue could help Democrats, because embryonic stem-cell research is supported by a majority of Americans. The stem cell dustup may help President Obama as he works to frame the the midterm elections as a choice between moving the country forward or backward.

Stem cell research law

The Justice Department said the administration would ask the district court to put its ruling on hold while the appeals court considers the issue. In a comment submitted on the U.S. News article, Marco Bolo of Colorado said that the judge based his ruling on a law banning federal funds for research using embryos that has been on the books since 1996. Bolo contends that Obama can’t overturn existing legislation and that the judge is simply enforcing the law. For embryonic stem cell research to continue, it’s as simple as Congress changing the law.

Many researchers are relying on adult or embryonic stem cells for their research. Image from Flickr.

When it comes to medical research, one almost cannot find something more controversial than stem cell research. Today, both distinct types of stem cell research – embryonic and adult – received support that will potentially expand and improve the cash now available and results of medical study. The National Institutes of Health released new embryonic guidelines, while the Vatican — yes, the Catholic Vatican — has announced it will help fund research.

The promise of stem cell research

Stem cell research is a politically, socially, and emotionally loaded topic – for good reason. Many medical researchers call stem cells the best chance medicine has to do everything from regrow damaged body parts to curing a multitude of diseases. A stem cell is a cell that is still in an “undefined” state and has the potential of becoming any type of cell in the body. Embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos created by fertility treatments that would not otherwise be used. Adult stem cells come from grown adults, and are either “forced” backwards into stem cells or harvested from other parts of the body.

Embryonic stem cell research guidelines from NIH

The question of embryonic stem cell research has been a difficult political question for the United States government. In 2001, President George W. Bush limited federal funding for embryonic stem cell research to the lines already in existence. This left 21 lines of embryonic stem cell research available. After taking office, President Obama lifted that restriction, although stronger ethical guidelines were put in place. The new stem cell research guidelines indicate that embryonic stem cells must be donated by couples that have been “fully informed of other options.”

NIH approves 13 lines of embryonic stem cell research

The new guidelines instituted by the National Institutes of Health created many questions about which lines of stem cell research would be allowed. This morning, the NIH announced that 13 additional lines had been approved for embryonic stem cell research, including four lines that account for almost 90 percent of stem cell research publications between 1999 and 2008.

Vatican to back adult stem cell research

In a move that surprised many stem cell research watchers, the Catholic Vatican announced today that they would be providing financial support for adult stem cell research. The International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium will receive funding and support from the Vatican. Intestinal stem cells are a form of adult stem cells that many researchers are hoping will prove useful. In the Vatican announcement, the church highlights that they still believe embryonic stem cell research is “gravely immoral.” The Director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program in Boston’s Children’s Hospital reacted to the announcement with a mix of emotions. “I applaud the Vatican for funding any type of research, but this is another attempt to pit adult stem cells against embryonic when the two are used in very different ways and have potential for different conditions.”

Sources:

Washington Post
ABC News