There are two types of cell: "meiotic" reproductive cells (eggs and sperm), and "mitotic" cells which include most of the tissues and organs in our bodies. But instead of using a meiotic egg cell to produce their mouse pups, the researchers used a type of mitotic cell called a parthenogenote. For now, though, the team still need eggs to create their parthenogenotes. One day, said Perry, it might be possible to print parthenogenotes instead of having to tease them from egg cells, meaning "the egg feature of this would be history". Marie-Helene Verlhac, a scientist at France's CNRS research institute, underlined the finding that one does not need an egg to reprogram sperm to kickstart embryo formation.

Source: Bangkok Post September 13, 2016 15:33 UTC