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Breakthrough in primate cloning Breakthrough in primate cloning
(9 minutes later)
Experts have for the first time created cloned embryos from an adult monkey - a technical breakthrough that could bring efficient human cloning a step closer.Experts have for the first time created cloned embryos from an adult monkey - a technical breakthrough that could bring efficient human cloning a step closer.
A team in the US created dozens of cloned embryos from a 10-year-old male macaque, the journal Nature reports.A team in the US created dozens of cloned embryos from a 10-year-old male macaque, the journal Nature reports.
This could make it easier to clone human embryos for use in research.This could make it easier to clone human embryos for use in research.
It raises the prospect of developing transplant tissues to treat diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's that will not be rejected by the body.It raises the prospect of developing transplant tissues to treat diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's that will not be rejected by the body.
The American group was able to extract stem cells from some of the cloned monkey embryos, persuading them to develop into mature heart and nerve cells in the laboratory.The American group was able to extract stem cells from some of the cloned monkey embryos, persuading them to develop into mature heart and nerve cells in the laboratory.
Other scientists have welcomed news of the advance. Robin Lovell-Badge, a UK stem cell scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill, near London, said: "Although this work has not been published yet, it is potentially significant.Other scientists have welcomed news of the advance. Robin Lovell-Badge, a UK stem cell scientist at the National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill, near London, said: "Although this work has not been published yet, it is potentially significant.
"There has been a worry that primates may prove to be difficult in terms of cloning.""There has been a worry that primates may prove to be difficult in terms of cloning."
Medical promiseMedical promise
This would have been a huge setback for researchers working to develop new medical therapies based on embryonic stem cells.This would have been a huge setback for researchers working to develop new medical therapies based on embryonic stem cells.
In cloning to obtain stem cells, DNA from an adult animal is inserted into an unfertilized egg that has had its own genetic material removed. The egg is then encouraged to grow into an early embryo, from which stem cells can be extracted.In cloning to obtain stem cells, DNA from an adult animal is inserted into an unfertilized egg that has had its own genetic material removed. The egg is then encouraged to grow into an early embryo, from which stem cells can be extracted.
STEM CELLS Stem cells are master cells, obtained from early-stage human embryos, with potential to develop into any of the body's tissue typesThere are different types, but scientists believe the most useful stem cells come from the tissue of embryosThe copy pre-embryo created for therapeutic cloning is destroyed in the process These stem cells, and the tissues that develop from them, will be a genetic match to the source of the DNA. In this case, the male macaque monkey.STEM CELLS Stem cells are master cells, obtained from early-stage human embryos, with potential to develop into any of the body's tissue typesThere are different types, but scientists believe the most useful stem cells come from the tissue of embryosThe copy pre-embryo created for therapeutic cloning is destroyed in the process These stem cells, and the tissues that develop from them, will be a genetic match to the source of the DNA. In this case, the male macaque monkey.
Because stem cells can are the forerunners of all tissues in the body, scientists hope they might one day be able to use these progenitors to create transplant tissues that are genetically matched to patients with degenerative conditions - such as diabetes - without the fear of rejection by the body.Because stem cells can are the forerunners of all tissues in the body, scientists hope they might one day be able to use these progenitors to create transplant tissues that are genetically matched to patients with degenerative conditions - such as diabetes - without the fear of rejection by the body.
Human cloning has been dogged by technical difficulties and controversies over faked research.Human cloning has been dogged by technical difficulties and controversies over faked research.
In 2004, a South Korean team announced that it had created the first cloned human embryos and extracted stem cells from them. But the study was later retracted when it emerged the lead author, Dr Hwang Woo-suk, had fabricated his work.In 2004, a South Korean team announced that it had created the first cloned human embryos and extracted stem cells from them. But the study was later retracted when it emerged the lead author, Dr Hwang Woo-suk, had fabricated his work.
The only other published example of a human embryonic clone was created at Newcastle University, UK. But the clones survived for only a few days and did not produce any stem cells.The only other published example of a human embryonic clone was created at Newcastle University, UK. But the clones survived for only a few days and did not produce any stem cells.
Human cloning cluesHuman cloning clues
The technique used to generate the cloned macaque embryos is called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This is the same basic procedure used to create Dolly the sheep and other cloned mammals.The technique used to generate the cloned macaque embryos is called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This is the same basic procedure used to create Dolly the sheep and other cloned mammals.
But lead author of the latest study, Dr Shoukhrat Mitalipov, has pioneered a novel way of handling the donor eggs during the cloning process. But the lead author of the latest study, Dr Shoukhrat Mitalipov, has pioneered a novel way of handling the donor eggs during the cloning process.
In order to remove DNA from the eggs, scientists sometimes dye the genetic material or use an imaging technique that exposes the cell to ultraviolet light.In order to remove DNA from the eggs, scientists sometimes dye the genetic material or use an imaging technique that exposes the cell to ultraviolet light.
However, Dr Mitalipov and his colleagues believe both of these could damage primate eggs. Instead, they used an illumination technique which allowed the scientists to efficiently remove the cell's nucleus without the need for UV light or dyes. However, Dr Mitalipov and his colleagues believe both of these could damage primate eggs. Instead, they used an illumination technique which allowed the scientists to efficiently remove the cell's nucleus without resorting to the traditional approaches.
The new technique, called Oosight, uses polarised light to visualise microscopic cells in real time. The scientists found this resulted in a much improved survival rate for developing embryos. The new technique, called Oosight, uses polarised light to visualise microscopic cells in real time. The scientists found this resulted in a much improved survival rate for developing clones.
The macaque monkey is a standard animal in laboratory workIn a statement, Professor Alison Murdoch and Dr Mary Herbert, of the North-East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI), said the work "provides the first convincing evidence that nuclear reprogramming is feasible in primates".The macaque monkey is a standard animal in laboratory workIn a statement, Professor Alison Murdoch and Dr Mary Herbert, of the North-East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI), said the work "provides the first convincing evidence that nuclear reprogramming is feasible in primates".
They added: "This is a very exciting development which takes us several steps closer to the production of patient-specific stem cells to treat life-limiting conditions such as Parkinson's, motor neurone disease, Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis.They added: "This is a very exciting development which takes us several steps closer to the production of patient-specific stem cells to treat life-limiting conditions such as Parkinson's, motor neurone disease, Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis.
"By providing proof of principle in a primate model, Dr Mitalipov and his colleagues have made an important step towards realising the therapeutic potential of nuclear transfer in humans.""By providing proof of principle in a primate model, Dr Mitalipov and his colleagues have made an important step towards realising the therapeutic potential of nuclear transfer in humans."
The scientists behind the latest work reportedly tried to implant about 100 cloned embryos into the wombs of around 50 surrogate female macaques. However, their efforts did not result in the birth of any offspring.The scientists behind the latest work reportedly tried to implant about 100 cloned embryos into the wombs of around 50 surrogate female macaques. However, their efforts did not result in the birth of any offspring.
But one author of the study said this could be down to bad luck. For example, Dolly the sheep - the first clone of an adult mammal - was only created after 277 attempts.But one author of the study said this could be down to bad luck. For example, Dolly the sheep - the first clone of an adult mammal - was only created after 277 attempts.