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First CRISPR single-nucleotide edited transgenic mice

Researchers successfully produced the first transgenic mice with a single nucleotide difference in the dystrophin and tyrosinase genes, demonstrating a new gene editing technique that can substitute one nucleotide into another without DNA deletion. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the correction of genetic defects in humans.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 27, 2017

New technique takes guesswork out of IVF embryo selection

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new technique to choose the best embryo for implantation, boosting IVF pregnancy success rates. The method uses digital imaging and mathematical modeling to analyze differences in embryos not visible under a microscope, helping embryologists make more informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalMolecular Reproduction and Development·DateAug 25, 2016

No blood vessels without cloche

Researchers identify Cloche, a bHLH-PAS transcription factor, as the key gene controlling blood vessel and blood cell development in embryos. The discovery, made after 20 years of searching, has significant implications for regenerative medicine and personalized stem cell therapy.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJul 18, 2016

For frozen embryos in dispute, scholars propose guidelines

Scholars propose five guidelines to prevent disputes over frozen embryos, including clear contract language, requiring a binding agreement, and anticipating potential tragedies. These recommendations aim to provide clarity for the estimated million frozen embryos in the US, reducing uncertainty and shifting terrain of varying state laws.

SourceBrown University·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJul 18, 2016

How red-eyed treefrog embryos hatch in seconds

Researchers discovered that red-eyed treefrog embryos use a unique mechanism to escape deadly snakes, rapidly releasing enzyme-degrading substances from specialized glands on their snouts. This process allows the tiny escapees to wriggle through an aperture created in the egg membrane, ensuring survival.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 15, 2016

The organizer of body axes

Researchers have found a blastoporal organizer in sea anemone embryos, using the same signaling molecules as vertebrate organizers. This principle existed in the common ancestor of vertebrates and sea anemones over 600 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2016

Shark babies remain strong in future acidic oceans

A recent study found that epaulette shark embryos can withstand ocean acidification conditions predicted for the year 2100, but may be vulnerable when gills are still developing. This suggests that sharks may be more resilient than previously thought, but their survival depends on maintaining healthy habitats.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalConservation Physiology·DateMar 7, 2016

Solving the mystery of defective embryos

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that micronuclei structures can cause aneuploidy and lead to mosaic embryos. This discovery may provide early non-invasive detection of aneuploidy, improving the chances of success for infertile couples who rely on medically assisted reproduction methods.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

Turning point of a lifetime

Scientists have developed a new light sheet microscope that can record the first two to three days of a mouse embryo's life. By tracking each cell's daughters, grand-daughters, great-granddaughters, and so on, they identified a crucial turning point in the embryo's development.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 15, 2015

Collaborative research reveals a new view of cell division

Researchers have discovered that cell division mechanisms involve an excitable cortex that participates in the process. This excitable state allows for precise control of contractile proteins and enzymes to assemble at the right place and time during cell division, enabling accurate and adaptive management of the cell's shape.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

Maternal influences

Researchers analyzed 640 pregnancies in 142 mares to understand the impact of maternal lineage on gestation length and foal characteristics. The study found that certain maternal lineages produce more female foals, with young and older mares contributing to this trend. These findings have implications for horse breeding practices.

Four fairies watch over Sleeping Beauty

Researchers discovered a network of transporters involved in controlling hormone ABA transport to seed embryos, ensuring optimal germination timing. This knowledge can be integrated into breeding programs to prevent premature germination and reduce economic losses.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2015

Male seahorse and human pregnancies remarkably alike

Researchers found male seahorses play a crucial role in nourishing and protecting embryos during pregnancy, delivering energy-rich lipids and calcium. Their gene expression during pregnancy was also similar to that of humans, suggesting a common genetic mechanism for managing pregnancy across species.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateSep 1, 2015

Dancing with the cells

Researchers discovered that cells in early embryos 'dance' as they compact, a process controlled by cell contraction. The study used new methods to measure forces and tensions within the embryo, revealing that adhesion acts as an anchor rather than an engine of compaction.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 16, 2015

Pregnant pipefish fathers are not super dads

Researchers found that pregnant pipefish males supply relatively low oxygen levels to their embryos, averaging 51% in well-oxygenated water and as low as 32% in poorly oxygenated conditions. Despite this, the fathers' care allows the young to survive and thrive, with a focus on nutrient supplementation and waste removal.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 3, 2015