Ancient viral DNA shapes early embryo development | Over half of our genomes consists of thousands of remnants of ancient viral DNA, known as transposable elements. Once dismissed as the "dark side" of the genome, researchers have now revealed their crucial role in early embryo development.

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#AncientViralDNA #EmbryoDevelopment #GenomicRemnants #TransposableElements #GeneticsResearch

Researchers have discovered that the earliest days of embryo development have a measurable impact on a person’s future health and ageing

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#EmbryoDevelopment #HealthImpact #AgingResearch #FutureHealth #ScientificDiscovery

First use of precision editing to study human embryo development reveals role of master gene: « Scientists have, for the first time, used an extremely precise genome editing technique called base editing to study gene function in human embryos. »

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#GenomeEditing #EmbryoDevelopment #BaseEditing

🔬 A UC Riverside-led study published in Human Reproduction suggests that vanillin, a common e-cigarette flavoring, may disrupt the normal development of human embryos.

🔬 Laboratory tests on human embryonic stem cells showed that high concentrations of vanillin tended to kill the cells, while lower concentrations caused them to lose their ability to develop into all cell types and differentiate into specific tissues, potentially preventing normal embryonic development.

🔬 Researchers identified that vanillin affects embryonic stem cells by binding to a channel called TRPV4, leading to changes in calcium signaling that impact cell development.

🔬 The study's findings suggest that pregnant women who vape should be cautious and advised by physicians against it, especially if experiencing conception difficulties or miscarriages, and highlight the need for regulatory bodies to consider the impact of e-cigarette products on unborn babies.

#Vaping #Pregnancy #EmbryoDevelopment