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Related Concept Videos

Determination01:51

Determination

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During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In...
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Maintenance of the ES Cell State01:14

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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...
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Cellular Differentiation00:57

Cellular Differentiation

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How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
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Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

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Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for...
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Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance02:30

Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance

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Diploid organisms inherit genetic material through chromosomes from both parents. Copies of the same gene are known as alleles. In most cases, both alleles are simultaneously expressed and allow various cellular processes to function optimally. If one of the alleles is missing or mutated, the expression of the other allele can compensate; however, this is not true for all genes.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 8, 2026

Generation of Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells at the Surface of Embryoid Bodies from Primed-pluripotency Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Generation of Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells at the Surface of Embryoid Bodies from Primed-pluripotency Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Specifying and protecting germ cell fate.

Susan Strome1, Dustin Updike2

  • 1Molecular, Cell &Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA.

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|July 1, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Germ cells are essential for reproduction, developing from primordial germ cells (PGCs) through mechanisms like germ plasm inheritance and epigenetic memory. Protective processes ensure germline fate stability after PGC specification.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Germ cells are fundamental for sexual reproduction, generating gametes across generations.
  • Recent research has elucidated key factors influencing germ cell fate determination.
  • Maintaining germline integrity post-specification requires specific cellular safeguards.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current understanding of germ cell specification and maintenance mechanisms.
  • To highlight the importance of conserved and divergent strategies across species.
  • To underscore the dynamic nature of germline fate and its regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on germ cell development.
  • Comparative analysis of germ cell specification across diverse species.
  • Examination of molecular and epigenetic regulatory pathways.

Main Results:

  • Germ cell fate is influenced by maternal factors (germ plasm), epigenetic inheritance, and transcription factors.
  • Primordial germ cells (PGCs) require protective mechanisms like transcriptional repression and altered chromatin states.
  • Germline fate remains plastic, necessitating continuous regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding germ cell development is crucial for reproductive biology.
  • Shared and distinct mechanisms govern germ cell fate across the animal kingdom.
  • Further research will continue to refine our knowledge of these vital cells.