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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Assessing Stem Cell DNA Integrity for Cardiac Cell Therapy

Assessing Stem Cell DNA Integrity for Cardiac Cell Therapy

Published on: January 25, 2019

Stem cell identity and template DNA strand segregation.

Shahragim Tajbakhsh¹

¹Institut Pasteur, Stem Cells & Development, CNRS URA 2578, Department of Developmental Biology, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France. shaht@pasteur.fr

Current Opinion in Cell Biology

|November 11, 2008

Summary

Stem cells may retain "immortal" DNA strands during cell division, while differentiating cells receive new DNA. This DNA strand segregation mechanism in stem cells requires further investigation using advanced techniques.

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Strand-Specific Analysis of Proteins at Replicating DNA Strands by Enrichment and Sequencing of Protein-Associated Nascent DNA Method

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Published on: May 2, 2025

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Genetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Stem cell identity is crucial for tissue regeneration and development.
The 'immortal DNA' hypothesis suggests stem cells retain original DNA strands during mitosis.
The universality and mechanisms of this DNA segregation remain unclear across tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate the 'immortal DNA' hypothesis in the context of stem cell biology.
To explore the potential link between non-random chromosome partitioning and DNA strand segregation.
To highlight the need for high-resolution methods to empirically observe these cellular events.

Main Methods:

Re-investigation of existing data and literature on stem cell division.
Conceptual analysis of chromosome partitioning in relation to DNA strand retention.
Discussion of potential molecular mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation.

Main Results:

Evidence suggests DNA strands may not be equivalent during stem cell mitosis.
Stem cells might preferentially retain older DNA strands.
Non-random chromosome partitioning could be linked to DNA strand segregation.

Conclusions:

The 'immortal DNA' hypothesis warrants further empirical investigation in various cell types and tissues.
Epigenetic regulation and sister chromatid silencing are potential alternative or complementary mechanisms.
Advanced imaging techniques are essential to validate these hypotheses.