Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Posted: August 9, 2006
Summary:
Scientists have found that the DNA of human embryonic stem cells is chemically modified in a characteristic, predictable pattern. This pattern distinguishes human embryonic stem cells from normal adult cells and cell lines, including cancer cells. The study should help researchers understand how epigenetic factors contribute to self-renewal and developmental pluripotence, unique characteristics of human embryonic stem cells that may one day allow them to be used to replace diseased or damaged cells with healthy ones in a process called therapeutic cloning.
Commentary: Maybe this will give researchers new insight into how make stem cells differentiate into specific cell types to treat diseases.
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