Lecture 10

Question 1

Define pluripotency

Answer 1

Ability to generate all cell types, including germ cells

Question 2

TRUE OR FALSE
Stem cells have the ability to self-renew to produce identical copies of themselves or differentiate into different cells lines?

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Does pluripotency last the whole of development?

Answer 3

No. Pluripotency is a transient process, PSC are only found during a short time window

Question 4

What are the descriptive PP factors?

Answer 4

TF expressed in ICM e.g. nanog, Sox2, Oct4

Question 5

What is a functional test for PP stem cells?

Answer 5

Can they form a teratocarcinoma

Question 6

Which factors maintain stem cells self-renewing in vitro?

Answer 6

Mouse - BMP and LIF

Human - FGF2 and TGFb

Question 7

Will mouse ES cells reintroduced into the blastocyst contribute to the developing embryo?

Answer 7

Yes, this is known as chimerisation

Question 8

Can adult somatic cells be reprogrammed to form pluripotent cells?

Answer 8

Yes, these are induced pluripotent stem cells

Question 9

What is the 3D approach to culturing stem cells in vitro?

Answer 9

Remove self-renewal signal and grow the cells in aggregates. The cells will form organised clusters of cells known as embryoid bodies that can now recapitulate the developing embryonic organs

Question 10

Explain the 2D approach

Answer 10

A defined number of cells are plated onto substrate/ECM that provides differentiation signal. This is a more tractable signal and genetic engineering tools can be used to study the role of individual cells