File:Swapping mitochondrial DNA mammalian oocytes.jpg

Swapping mitochondrial DNA in mammalian oocytes

"Working with rhesus macaque monkeys, Tachibana et al. removed the nuclear material plus a cellular membrane (a karyoplast) from a mature oocyte, leaving behind its mitochondria (a). They transferred the karyoplast to an oocyte whose nucleus had been removed (a cytoplast; b). The nuclear material in the karyoplast consists of condensed chromosomes attached to thread-like spindle fibres (the spindle–chromosomal complex). The authors fused the karyoplast with the cytoplast and then fertilized the reconstructed oocyte (c). The developing blastocyst (d) was implanted in a surrogate mother, which gave birth to a healthy baby (e). This technique has the potential to prevent transmission of human mutated mitochondrial DNA from mother to baby."

Order Details Licensee: Mark A Hill License Date: Sep 17, 2009 License Number: 2271631413678 Publication: Nature Title: Developmental biology: Asexual healing Type Of Use: Web Site Total: $0.00