Kabar6-By taking genes from single-celled creatures, and adding them to mouse cells to regenerate stem cells, a team of scientists created mice using ancient genetics that are older than any other animal life.
The gene was then injected into the developing embryo to create a living, breathing mouse. Millions of years ago, before multicellular organisms appeared, there were single-celled organisms on planet Earth. Some of these, called choanoflagellates, are considered the closest living relatives of animals.
Based on new research, reported by PurdueExponent, their genomes have different versions of the Sox and POU genes, which are known to promote the formation of stem cells in mammals and, until now, were believed to only be present in animals. This was now discovered in single-celled organisms and later used by scientists to reprogram mouse cells.
“By successfully creating mice using molecular tools derived from our single-celled relatives, we witness extraordinary continuity of function over nearly a billion years of evolution,” explained study author Dr. Alex de Mendoza.
Adding, “This study implies that key genes involved in stem cell formation may have originated much earlier than stem cells themselves, perhaps helping pave the way for the multicellular life we see today.”
The choanoflagellate Sox gene was introduced into mouse cells, where it replaced the existing Sox2 gene, and in the process converted the cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These cells can develop into any type of cell in the body.
When scientists injected iPSCs into mouse embryos, they formed so-called chimeras, which are animals whose bodies have cells that are different from each other and contain two different sets of DNA.
The new mice had characteristics of iPSCs and donor embryos and had dark eyes and patches of black fur, confirming that ancient genes had influenced the animals’ development.(ilj/bbs)
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Ancient Genetics, Meet Modern Mice: The Creepy Consequences of Playing God
Hello there, folks. Today, we’ll delve into the world of science, where geniuses in lab coats are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be alive. A team of scientists, fueled by their insatiable curiosity and a hint of madness, has successfully created mice using genes from single-celled organisms that date back to the good ol’ days of primordial ooze.
Let’s set the scene: millions of years ago, when life on Earth was just a fledgling, single-celled organisms like choanoflagellates ruled the roost. Fast-forward to the present, and we have scientists who’ve managed to isolate the genes responsible for stem cell formation from these ancient microbes. Now, they’ve injected these genes into mouse cells, effectively creating mice with a genetic makeup that’s older than any other animal on the planet.
Think of it like this: these mice are the ultimate retro creatures. Imagine a mouse with a polyester jumpsuit, platform shoes, and a haircut that screams "I’m a relic from the ’70s." That’s essentially what these scientists have created, minus the fashion sense.
The study, led by Dr. Alex de Mendoza, involved introducing the choanoflagellate Sox gene into mouse cells, which then converted into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These cells have the magical ability to develop into any type of cell in the body, making them the ultimate shape-shifters.
The scientists then injected these iPSCs into mouse embryos, creating chimeras that had characteristics of both the iPSCs and the donor embryos. The resulting mice had dark eyes and patches of black fur, which confirmed that the ancient genes had indeed influenced their development.
Now, you might be wondering what this breakthrough means for humanity. Well, let’s put on our thinking caps, shall we? According to Dr. de Mendoza, this study implies that key genes involved in stem cell formation may have originated much earlier than stem cells themselves. This, in turn, could have paved the way for the multicellular life we see today.
In simpler terms, this means that our ancient, single-celled ancestors may have laid the groundwork for the complex life forms that followed. Mind-boggling, isn’t it? It’s like discovering that your great-great-grandfather was a master builder, and his blueprints are still being used to construct the world’s most impressive structures.
Of course, this raises questions about the ethics of tampering with the fundamental building blocks of life. Are we playing God? Are we pushing the boundaries of what it means to be human? These are questions for the philosophers and the ethicists to debate.
For now, let’s just acknowledge that science has once again proved to be a wondrous and unsettling force. These ancient genetic mice may be the creepiest, most fascinating creatures to emerge from a lab in recent history. Who knows what other secrets they might hold? Perhaps one day, we’ll discover that they’re capable of time travel, and they’ll bring back stories from the primordial ooze.
Until then, let’s marvel at the sheer ingenuity of these scientists and their ability to blur the lines between the ancient and the modern. Who knows what’s next? Maybe they’ll create a line of retro fashion clothing for mice. The possibilities are endless.
Key Points:
- Scientists have created mice using genes from single-celled organisms that date back millions of years.
- The genes, isolated from choanoflagellates, were used to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in mouse cells.
- The iPSCs were then injected into mouse embryos, creating chimeras with characteristics of both the iPSCs and the donor embryos.
- The study suggests that key genes involved in stem cell formation may have originated much earlier than stem cells themselves.
- The implications of this breakthrough are far-reaching, raising questions about the ethics of tampering with the fundamental building blocks of life.
Get Ready for More Science News
Stay tuned for more updates from the world of science, where the boundaries of what’s possible are pushed every day. Whether it’s genetic engineering, space exploration, or artificial intelligence, we’ll bring you the latest news, analysis, and commentary from the experts in the field.
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Kabar6: In a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough, a team of researchers has successfully created mice using genes from single-celled organisms that predate the existence of animals, paving the way for a deeper understanding of the origins of life on Earth.
By harnessing the power of genes from ancient, single-celled creatures known as choanoflagellates, scientists were able to regenerate stem cells and create mice that possess characteristics from both the donor embryo and the ancient genes. These genes, believing to be exclusive to multicellular animals, were discovered to have an unprecedented, billion-year-old function.
The scientists’ innovative approach involved introducing the choanoflagellate Sox gene into mouse cells, effectively replacing the Sox2 gene, and transforming the cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) which possess the unique ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body.
When these iPSCs were injected into mouse embryos, the resulting chimeras – organisms comprising cells with distinct sets of DNA – displayed an extraordinary blend of characteristics from both the donor embryo and the ancient genes. The mice that developed from these chimeras exhibited distinctive physical attributes, including dark eyes and patches of black fur, providing unequivocal evidence of the profound influence of these prehistoric genes.
“The successful creation of mice using molecular tools derived from our single-celled relatives has revealed an extraordinary continuity of function over nearly a billion years of evolution,” explained Dr. Alex de Mendoza, the lead author of the study. “This implies that key genes involved in stem cell formation may have originated significantly earlier than stem cells themselves, which may have contributed to the emergence of multicellular life as we know it today.”
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