Scientists find lab-grown neurons keep embryonic chromatin features
Researchers at Skoltech and Russian institutions published a study in Genome Research showing that neurons grown from stem cells retain specific embryonic genome structures.
Study compares human and mouse samples
A team of scientists analyzed the three-dimensional organization of genomes within nerve cells. They processed more than 300 maps covering 62 human samples and 34 mouse samples. The collection included data from embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and postmortem neurons.
New genome maps were created
The authors generated five new three-dimensional genome maps for their analysis. These maps help clarify how closely laboratory-grown cells match mature adult brain tissue. The research team compared chromatin properties across different developmental stages of the nervous system.
Results differ from expectations
The analysis indicated that lab-derived neurons resemble neuronal progenitor cells more than they do adult neurons. This finding addresses a previous uncertainty regarding how well these cells replicate mature chromatin architecture. The study was conducted by scientists from Skoltech and the Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.