New Method Averts Mitochondrial Disease in Embryos
A new study published in Nature reports success in the creation of mitochondrial disease-free human embryos. Based off of previous research in monkeys, researchers led by Shoukhart Mitalipov, PhD, of the Oregon Health and Science University swapped the nucleus of a mother’s egg with that of a donor’s egg, which they then fertilized and grew until the blastocyst stage. The team derived stem cell lines to compare with other established lines and found no differences between the two, thereby validating the efficacy of their method. Scientists believe this will provide a new means to help families and to avoid the heartbreaking consequences of mitochondrial disease.