Preimplantation genetic diagnosis as a novel source of embryos for stem cell research
Authors: Pickering, Susan J.1; Braude, Peter R.1; Patel, Minal2; Burns, Chris J.3; Trussler, Jane1; Bolton, Virginia4; Minger, Stephen5
Source: Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Volume 7, Number 3, October 2003 , pp. 353-364(12)
Publisher: Reproductive Healthcare Ltd
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Abstract:
The generation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells has captured the public and professional imagination, largely due their potential as a means of overcoming many debilitating and degenerative diseases by cell replacement therapy. Despite this potential, few well-characterized hES cell lines have been derived. Indeed, in the UK, despite several centres having been active in this area for more than 2 years, there are as yet no published reports of human embryonic stem cells having been generated. Part of the reason for this lack of progress may relate to the quality of embryos available for research. Embryos surplus to therapeutic requirements following routine assisted reproduction treatment are often of poor quality and a large proportion may be aneuploid. This study reports a new approach to hES cell derivation. Embryos surplus to therapeutic requirements following preimplantation genetic diagnosis were used. Although unsuitable for embryo transfer due to the high risk of genetic disease, these embryos are from fertile couples and thus may be of better quality than fresh embryos surplus to assisted reproduction treatment cycles. Embryos donated after cryopreservation were also used, and putative hES lines were derived from both sources of embryos. The cell lines described here are thought to be the first reported hES cell lines to have been derived in the UK.Keywords: BLASTOCYST; HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES; PGD
Document Type: Research article
Affiliations: 1: Department of Women's Health, GKT School of Medicine, 10th Floor, North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK 2: Centre for Neuroscience Research, GKT School of Biomedical Research, Hodgkin Building, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK 3: Centre for Reproduction, Endocrinology and Diabetes, GKT School of Biomedical Research, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK 4: Assisted Conception Unit, 1st Floor, Mapother House, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK 5: Centre for Neuroscience Research, GKT School of Biomedical Research, Hodgkin Building, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
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