Genes Found that Characterize Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers at UC, San Francisco identified a group of genes that are active in embryonic stem cells but not in more differentiated cells. They also developed a technique to find DNA regions that could be important for activating these genes, and identified a factor that directs the production of proteins from genes that contain these regulatory DNA regions. These studies will greatly inform research efforts that rely on maintaining a stem cell’s ability to proliferate and to generate the many different cell types in a human body.

PLoS Genetics: August 2007
CIRM funding: Marcia Grskovic (T1-00002)

Related Information: UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine