Abstract
In vitro models of marsupial and monotreme embryogenesis wouldprovide powerful platforms to study mammalian pluripotency andevolution. Despite several efforts, no marsupial embryonic stem(ES) cells have been established, and to our knowledge noattempts have been made to isolate monotreme ES cells. Advancesin cell reprogramming offer functional alternatives to obtainingpluripotent stem cell lines: the induction of pluripotency in somaticcells1 & 2. We are investigating methods to generate and cultureInduced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells from marsupials andmonotremes.This project faces two major challenges:1) Generating iPS cells in species for which ES cells have not beenpreviously isolated.2) Identifying species-specific culture conditions and methods thatmaintain pluripotency in vitro.We have begun studying the effects of over-expressing the humanreprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, LIN28, Klf4 and cMyc)in human, marsupial and monotreme fibroblasts, cultured undervaried culture conditions.Here we present preliminary data from reprogramming experimentswhich suggest partial reprogramming of marsupial and monotremefibroblasts and highlights the need to empirically determine cultureconditions that support the long-term maintenance of pluripotencyin vitro.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 7 Nov 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | The 56th Annual conference of the Genetics Society of Australasia - University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Duration: 7 Nov 2009 → 9 Nov 2009 Conference number: 56th |
Conference
Conference | The 56th Annual conference of the Genetics Society of Australasia |
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Abbreviated title | GSA2009 |
Country/Territory | Australia |
City | Brisbane |
Period | 7/11/09 → 9/11/09 |