Researchers at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem managed to create male and female cells with the same genetic load from a single person. This should lead to new discoveries in the study of sex differences and in the development of sex-specific medicine. The study was published in the journal Stem Cell Reports and was conducted by Professor Binyamin Raubinoff Director of the Institute for Gene Therapy and Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Women and Midwifery at Hadassah.
The research grew out of the understanding that sex differences affect health, as well as the risk of getting sick and the course of disease. Women, for example, have a higher risk of contracting autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, while men tend to have greater morbidity when they contract an infectious disease. There are also gender differences in the effectiveness and side effects of medications.
In view of these data, the field of gender-appropriate medicine has developed. In the absence of males and females with the same genetic load, it is often necessary to compare examinations in order to overcome natural genetic variation. Even when differences are observed, it is impossible to know whether they are due to sex chromosomes or to a different hormonal composition between men and women.
The unique pattern of male and female stem cells with the same genetic load allows for clear laboratory detection of sex differences, while circumventing the need for a male/female comparative study. Since stem cells can transform into any cell in the human body, the system developed will make it possible to study sex differences in all cell types, and understand whether the cause of the difference is the composition of the sex chromosomes or in the hormonal profile.
“The unique stem cell system we have developed will lead to new discoveries regarding gender differences, can help compare drug efficacy and toxicity, and contribute to the development of better medicine suitable for men and women. “, says Binyamin Raubinoff.
