An important step has just been taken in the field of stem cells. For the first time, scientists have succeeded in obtain male and female stem cells from a single person. This discovery made by Israeli researchers means that the cells are genetically identical, except for the sex chromosomes. This might make it possible to study how drugs and diseases affect the sexes.
Until now, a human body has been the default material for studying disease, biology, and drug responses. However, the results obtained are generally applied to men and women equally, even if the tests were only carried out on men.
The differences between men and women
In recent decades, much research has begun to highlight the extent of biological differences between men and women. These differences can manifest themselves in several forms. For example, women are at a higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease while men are more likely to get cancer. Men are also more likely to get severe acute Covid, while women are more likely to get long Covid.
Despite this knowledge regarding the differences between men and women, studying them is not easy. Indeed, even in large groups, it is difficult to identify differences that arise because of sex from those that are caused by natural genetic variation or other factors. Ideally, the tests are conducted on male-female pairs that are genetically identical except for sex chromosomes. However, this is something that does not exist even in twins.
A solution to the problem
In this context, the discovery made by Israeli scientists might finally provide a platform to study gender differences. The discovery was made by researchers from the Hadassah Medical Organization. Scientists have successfully created male and female cells that are genetically identical except at the sex chromosome level.
The discovery was possible thanks to a man with Klinefelter syndrome. It is a genetic condition that leaves the patient with an extra X chromosome. The consequence is that his blood contains small subpopulations consisting of both male cells with XY chromosomes and female cells with XX chromosomes.
The researchers extracted these blood cells and used them to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The stem cells contained a mixture of male and female cells. According to the explanations, iPSCs are capable of transforming into any human cell. Thus, thanks to this, experiments can be carried out simultaneously on genetically identical male and female cells.
SOURCE: New Atlas
