Cloning mice successfully from skin stem cells

American researchers have succeeded in cloning mouse clones by first using adult stem cells extracted from the rodent's skin.

(Photo: HTV) This new stem cell source can help increase the success rate in cloning techniques, which are very difficult. Until now, when cloning mice, scientists use stem cells from embryonic or connective tissue, even from embryonic stem cells. But this technique is only successful at a rate of 1 or 2%.

When conducting the new test, researchers at Rockefeller University (New York) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (Maryland) used stem cells extracted from hair follicles beneath the epidermis. These stem cells are very accessible because they are able to renew and differentiate between different cell types. According to the researchers, this is the best potential for asexual reproduction.

The success rate of cloning techniques with female mouse hair follicles is 1.6%, which is equivalent to the success rate in previously performed tests with stem cells from many other sources. together. However, with male mouse hair follicles, the success rate was 5.4%.

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