Germ Cell Line to Aid Researchers

Researchers have developed a line of germ cells derived from spermatogonia, the stem cells that produce sperm, which can be maintained for extended periods under tissue culture conditions. Reported online June 20, 2002, on the ScienceExpress web site, the development of this germ cell line is designed to provide a basic tool for scientists that can be used for the future study of many medical problems related to sperm.

This particular cell line was derived from mice and from stem cells that can only become sperm cells; it is not derived from human embryos. Unlike previously developed spermatogonial cell lines, this line exhibits characteristic features of normal adult spermatogonial stem cells and, upon appropriate stimulation, differentiates into advanced germ cell types.

"The potential implications of this cell line for germ cell gene therapy are far-reaching, although this technology will require many more years of study before it is ready for humans,” explained Dr. Martin Dym, senior author and chair of cell biology at Georgetown University Medical Center (Washington, DC, USA). "Scientists may one day be able to remove defective genes in the sperm stem cells that cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis or hemophilia, transplant these corrected stem cells back into the testis, and all future offspring of that individual would be free from that particular disease.”





Related Links:
Georgetown Univ. Medical Center