Scientists Succeed In Creating Male And Female Stem Cells From A Single Person

Researchers in Israel have created male and female stem cells from one person for the first time ever, in a breakthrough that saw genetically identical cells generated with only the sex chromosomes differing. 

This could significantly change how illnesses, diseases, and medications affect the sexes differently, considering the male body has been used as the default model for scientific investigations throughout much of medical history.

According to New Atlas, a growing body of research has pointed out that males and females could differ more greatly than once thought when it comes to ailments and their cures. For example, women suffer from a higher risk of Alzheimer’s, while men are more prone to cancer.

If you were wondering, fraternal twins don’t make the best test subjects either, because even their cells aren’t genetically identical. As such, the progress by scientists at Hadassah Medical Organization could be a game changer in future experiments. 

The cells were generated from a man with Klinefelter syndrome, which is a genetic condition that gives him an extra X chromosome. This meant his blood contained small populations of both male cells—XY chromosomes, and female cells—XX chromosomes. 

Researchers transformed the donor’s blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and isolated stem cells that were genetically identical apart from being male or female. 

iPSCs can grow into different types of cells for therapeutic purposes, whereas isolated stem cells can be developed into any cell type and are best for studying sex-related differences across all human cell types. 

Plus, these stem cells allow the study of the differences between males and females in the absence or presence of sex hormones, enabling scientists to look into the genetic and hormonal influences on both sexes. 

“The world of medical science today recognizes the great importance of the differences between women and men… The unique stem cell system we have developed will lead to new discoveries about gender differences, can help compare the efficacy and toxicity of drugs and can contribute to the development of better medicine adapted to men and women,” said lead researcher Benjamin Reubinoff. 

[via New Atlas and Hadassah Medical Organization, cover image via Fewerton | Dreamstime.com]