Current Event Extra Credit

Veronica Mandella
Biology Period 3
February 25, 2018

Genome Editing Reveals Role of Gene Important for Human Embryo Development
Science Daily

A team of researchers have been using a gene editing technology to find the key gene in
in the first few days of human embryo development. The team recently topped a key gene from
producing a protein called OCT4. They discovered that this protein is needed to correctly form a
blastocyst which is a ball that within 7 days with form around 200 cells. The researchers were
surprised by how important this gene is for human embryo development. This team of
researchers is also studying mice which has also suggested how important the protein OCT4 is.
The team is hoping to discover the reason behind pregnancy failure and improve IVF
treatments. They say that it will take years to understand the key genes in human embryo
development but this study is just the beginning.
The protein OCT4 is also thought to be important in stem cell biology. Pluripotent stem
cells can become any other type of cells and are derived from embryos or created from adult
cells. These stem cells are high in levels of OCT4 and are now understanding how important
genes are in the change of a group of cells in an early embryo. This research may not only
become a successful IVF treatment but may help develop new treatments against developmental
disorders and adult diseases that may originate in the early stages of life.