First Ever Bird Embryonic Stem Cells Derived and Maintained in Lab
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have successfully derived and maintained embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from birds in a laboratory setting for the first time. This achievement opens up new avenues for research and potential applications in the poultry industry and conservation efforts.
The research team, led by unidentified scientists, managed to derive ESCs from eight different bird species, including chicken, quail, pheasant, turkey, duck, goose, peafowl, and ostrich. Each species required a slightly different cocktail of nutrients to cultivate their ESCs, highlighting the unique biological characteristics of each bird.
The derived ESCs demonstrated remarkable properties. They could self-renew for extended periods, maintaining high pluripotency, and differentiate into all cell types of the early embryo, mirroring the behaviour of mammalian ESCs. Moreover, these cells could form the three primary cell layers of the early embryo, a critical step in development.
In a significant advancement, the team also showed that chicken ESCs could differentiate into reproductive germ cells and somatic cells, and contribute to chimeras. This means these cells could potentially be used to create genetically modified poultry, with implications for improving poultry health and producing therapeutic proteins in eggs.
The study also explored the potential for genome editing using CRISPR and other tools, further expanding the usefulness of these ESCs for research and biotechnology.
This pioneering work not only marks the first successful derivation and maintenance of bird ESCs but also paves the way for exciting applications. These include engineering healthier poultry, producing valuable proteins in eggs, and potentially even reviving endangered or extinct species. The discovery of a key cultivation medium containing egg yolk and other factors has been instrumental in this achievement, setting the stage for further advancements in avian research and biotechnology.
