Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.

Karyotyping

Karyotyping

Describing the number and physical features of chromosomes can reveal abnormalities that underlie genetic diseases. This description is facilitated by special staining techniques that produce a particular banding pattern on each chromosome. State-of-the-art techniques make this approach even more powerful, enabling the detection of individual genes that cause disease.A Simple Chromosome Staining Technique Provides Valuable Scientific InsightSome genetic diseases can be detected by looking at...

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction

During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A comprehensive review for defining cut-off values of oocyte, zygote, and embryo maturation arrest (OZEMA) due to maternal-effect genes: towards the establishment of clinical criteria.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026

Same author

Morally relevant features warranting ethical oversight in human stem cell-based embryo models.

Nature cell biology·2026

Same author

Human stem cell-based embryo models: innovation, ethics, and policy.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026

Same author

Reply: Preconception health and fertility health: overlapping, yet distinct domains.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026

Same author

Microbial contamination of ART culture media with Enterococcus faecalis: case report of a live birth following blastocyst transfer.

Reproductive biomedicine online·2026

Same author

From Preservation to Creation: The Expanding Frontier of Fertility Preservation - Proceedings of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Montreux Reproductive Summit, 29-30 August 2025.

Facts, views & vision in ObGyn·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Chromosomal Spread Preparation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Karyotyping

Chromosomal Spread Preparation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Karyotyping

Published on: September 4, 2009

Recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in human embryonic stem cells.

Claudia Spits¹, Ileana Mateizel, Mieke Geens

¹Department of Embryology and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium. laudia.spits@uzbrussel.be

Nature Biotechnology

|November 26, 2008

Summary

Human embryonic stem cells accumulate new chromosomal abnormalities beyond known predispositions. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization revealed amplifications and derivative chromosomes impacting gene expression.

More Related Videos

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: July 22, 2008

Chromosome Preparation From Cultured Cells

Chromosome Preparation From Cultured Cells

Published on: January 28, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Chromosomal Spread Preparation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Karyotyping

Chromosomal Spread Preparation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Karyotyping

Published on: September 4, 2009

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: July 22, 2008

Chromosome Preparation From Cultured Cells

Chromosome Preparation From Cultured Cells

Published on: January 28, 2014

Area of Science:

Stem cell biology
Genetics
Genomics

Background:

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are prone to aneuploidy, particularly involving chromosomes 12, 17, and X.
Understanding genomic instability in hES cells is crucial for their safe application in regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in cultured hES cell lines beyond known predispositions.
To investigate the impact of these genomic changes on the transcriptional landscape.

Main Methods:

Utilized array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to analyze the genomes of 17 hES cell lines.
Assessed the transcriptional impact of identified genomic alterations.

Main Results:

Identified recurrent chromosomal abnormalities in addition to known aneuploidies.
Observed specific genomic changes including amplification at 20q11.21 and a derivative chromosome 18.
Demonstrated that these genomic alterations have a variable effect on gene expression.

Conclusions:

Cultured hES cells accumulate additional, recurrent chromosomal abnormalities.
These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive genomic profiling for hES cell characterization.
The variable transcriptional impact underscores the complexity of genomic alterations in stem cells.