How much human DNA can mice hold?For many years, scientists have created transgenic trans·ge·nic adj. 1. Of, relating to, or being an organism whose genome has been altered by the transfer of a gene or genes from another species or breed: transgenic mice. 2. mice by adding individual human genes to the mouse genome genome: see genetics. genome all the genetic content contained within an organism. An organism's genome is made up of molecules of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that form long strands that are tightly wound into chromosomes, which are found in the . A research group in Japan has unexpectedly found that it can also introduce large fragments of human chromosomes Chromosomes Spaghetti-like structures located within the nucleus (or central portion) of each cell. Chromosomes contain the genetic information necessary to direct the development and functioning of all cells and systems in the body. , some probably containing more than 1,000 genes. When single genes are added to the mouse genome, they fit into mouse chromosomes at random locations, which may alter the timing, location, and intensity of the human gene's activity. In contrast, the chromosome fragments remain independent, they are copied and distributed normally when cells divide, and their genes appear to behave as they do in people, report Kazuma Tomizuka of Kirin Brewery Co. in Kanagawa, Japan, and his colleagues in the June Nature Genetics. Moreover, in several cases, a human chromosome fragment made it into the germ cells germ cell n. An ovum or a sperm cell or one of their developmental precursors. Also called sex cell. Germ cell One of the cells that ordinarily develop into eggs or sperm (also sperm and eggs). of a mouse, enabling the mouse to pass the fragment to its offspring. |
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