A Mouse With Two Dads — and a New Frontier for Biology | Katsuhiko Hayashi | TED

A Mouse With Two Dads — and a New Frontier for Biology | Katsuhiko Hayashi | TED

Brief Summary

This video discusses the advancements in reproductive biology and the potential to create gametes (sperm and eggs) in a laboratory setting. The key points are:

  • Gametes (sperm and eggs) are the only immortal cells in the body, and their perpetuity is crucial for the continuation of life.
  • Assisted reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilization have helped millions of people have children, but they rely on obtaining gametes from the body.
  • The speaker's team has developed a method to create gametes entirely in a dish, using pluripotent stem cells that can be derived from various cell types.
  • This "in-vitro gametogenesis" technology can be applied to various species, including endangered animals, and even allows for the creation of gametes from cells of the same sex.
  • This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for reproduction, including the potential for same-sex couples to have genetically related children.

The Importance of Germ Cell Lineage

The video begins by explaining the importance of germ cell lineage, which are the only immortal cells in the body. These germ cells, also known as gametes (sperm and eggs), are responsible for the perpetuity of life, as they are passed down from generation to generation. The speaker emphasizes that this unbroken line of germ cells is under threat due to the declining birth rate, which can have significant economic consequences, especially for large livestock. This is where assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization, have offered hope, as they have enabled the birth of over 12 million babies worldwide.

Creating Gametes in a Dish

The speaker then introduces the concept of "in-vitro gametogenesis," which is the process of creating gametes entirely in a laboratory setting. This is achieved by using pluripotent stem cells, which have the ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body. By mimicking the right signals and conditions, the speaker's team has successfully generated mature eggs from mouse pluripotent stem cells and demonstrated that these eggs are capable of fertilization and giving rise to healthy mice.

Applying the Technology to Various Species

The speaker explains that this technology can be applied to various species, including humans, livestock, and even endangered animals. The speaker's laboratory is actively involved in a depopulation effort for the northern white rhino, which has only two remaining females. They have generated egg precursors from the northern white rhino's pluripotent stem cells and are currently creating a mini-ovary system to mature these into eggs.

Eliminating Sex Differences in Gametes

The speaker further discusses how this technology can be used to eliminate the genetic differences between male and female gametes. By taking a cell from a male mouse, creating induced pluripotent stem cells, and then selecting for cells with two X chromosomes, the speaker's team was able to generate eggs that behaved exactly like those from traditional female mice. These sex-converted eggs were then successfully fertilized with sperm, resulting in healthy, typical mice.

Conclusion

The video concludes by emphasizing the potential of this in-vitro gametogenesis technology, which opens up new possibilities for reproduction, including the potential for same-sex couples to have genetically related children. The speaker suggests that this technology, which was first developed in experimental animals, can eventually be applied to humans and other animals, revolutionizing the field of reproductive biology.

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