Detecting the mechanism of change of embryonic cells

The mechanism by which embryonic cells are no longer flexible and convert into adult cells to develop into certain tissues has been discovered by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This finding is a significant step forward in the study of chemical cell replacement therapy based on the use of embryonic cells.

In the very early stages of human development, all identical embryonic cells, but unlike mature cells, are very flexible and capable of becoming any type of tissue, from muscle, skin to liver or brain.

The transformation of this cell begins when the embryo drops to the womb. In terms of the inner workings of cells, this process includes or the main control mechanism.On the other hand, genes that keep embryos in their initial state are turned off, and at the same time, specific tissue genes are turned on. By activating some genes, embryos can produce muscle cells. By activating some defense genes, these immature cells can become liver. Other gene combinations are responsible for other tissues.

In a recent paper published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, Professor Yehudit Bergman and Howard Cedar of the Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Medicine have discovered the mechanism that embryonic cells no longer have mobility and turn into Mature cells to then develop into certain tissues. Bergman is Professor Morley Goldblatt on Cancer Health and Research, and Cedar is Professor Helen L. Brenner on Molecular Biology.

Professor Yehudit Bergman, and Howard Cedar of Hebrew University - Medical School Hadassah have discovered a mechanism by which embryonic cells are no longer flexible and convert into a wall-to-wall cell to then develop into certain tissues. (Photo: Hebrew University, Jerusalem)

In experiments using embryos from experimental mice and cultured genes, they found that the whole process was controlled by a single gene, called G9a. This genome is capable of controlling the entire process of change, including disabling a genome that causes them to be completely locked down throughout the life of the organism, thus unable to activate any further changes. Which of embryonic cells.

Their research not only brings new insights into the process, but also makes sense in developing therapies. One of the biggest medical challenges today is to create new tissues to replace damaged cells in many diseases, such as Parkinson's disease or diabetes.Many efforts have focused on 'reprogramming' existing mature cells, but scientists have proved it impossible, because normal tissues are locked in specific processes. and not able to return to the original form of flexible embryonic cells.

Now, with new information discovered by Bergman and Cedar, the molecular program responsible for neutralizing cell flexibility has been identified. This achievement is a big step in developing new methods to control cells.