Azim Surani - UK
University of Cambridge
Creating Human Germ Cells in Culture: Scientific and Ethical Challenges
Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute
University of Cambridge
Following fundamental advances in mammalian germline biology over the past two decades, has allowed development of in vitro models for generating primordial germ cells (PGC), and viable gametes from mouse pluripotent stem cells (ESC and iPSC). More recently, it has also been possible to derive early human primordial germ cells from hESCs and iPSC. While ex vivo germ cells from human fetuses provide fundamental knowledge of early human germline development, the longer term aim is to create a model for a complete human germline cycle in vitro. Such models are essential for investigations on complex development events leading to the totipotent state,
through which the ‘immortal’ germline transmits genetic and epigenetic information to subsequent generations, with long-term consequences for human development and disease. Advances in germline research also pose ethical challenges for the future associated with the potential clinical use of
synthetic gametes in reproduction, and germline gene editing.
