cell differentiation Archives

Mitonucleons: A new chapter in the story of mitochondria?

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The mitonucleon consists of multiple mitochondria.

Mitonucleons are a newly recognised type of mitochondrial superstructure. Consisting of multiple mitochondria enveloping chromatin, mitonucleons appear to be responsible for the development of unusual structures called spheroids. Dr Honoree Fleming of Castleton State College, Vermont, USA, has identified mitonucleons in human endometrial cells in vitro. Using microscopy, Dr Fleming has also observed mysterious structures called tubules, which appear to […]

Nuclear reprogramming: From one cell type to another

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Dr Kei Miyamoto from Kindai University in Japan studies how mature, differentiated cells from one individual can be transferred into egg cells from another and reprogrammed to develop into a clone of the original donor animal. This has implications for animal cloning, such as in endangered species or prized livestock lines. Furthermore, studying reprogramming leads to a better understanding of […]