Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026
06:39
Live Cell Imaging of Chromosome Segregation During Mitosis
Published on: March 14, 2018
9.9K
Spindle dynamics and chromosome segregation in human preimplantation embryos
Filip Vasilev1, Yanwen Jiang2, Gaudeline Rémillard-Labrosse1
1CHUM Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Fertility and Sterility
|March 13, 2026
Summary
Human embryos exhibit chromosome segregation errors during early development, with micronuclei formation contributing to aneuploidy. Understanding these cell division defects is crucial for addressing infertility and developmental issues.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Chromosome segregation errors are common in human preimplantation development, leading to aneuploidy.
- Direct studies on the mechanisms of cell division in human embryos are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spindle dynamics and chromosome segregation in human preimplantation embryos.
- To understand the root causes of chromosome segregation errors and aneuploidy.
Main Methods:
- Confocal live imaging of preimplantation human embryos stained for DNA and microtubules.
- Analysis of spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and mitotic defects.
Main Results:
- Spindle assembly occurs in an 'outside-in' manner.
- Chromosome segregation errors occur in early (Day 2/3) and later (Day 5) embryos.
- Micronuclei formation and non-canonical inheritance contribute significantly to blastocyst aneuploidy.
Conclusions:
- Provides foundational understanding of chromosome segregation mechanisms in human embryos.
- Highlights micronuclei as a key factor in aneuploidy genesis.
- Informs future research on infertility and developmental abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
02:19The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
3.9K
The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
3.9K
02:19The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
1.8K
1.8K
02:02Meiosis II
51.4K
Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
51.4K
01:57Meiosis II
209.9K
Meiosis II is the second and final stage of meiosis. It relies on the haploid cells produced during meiosis I, each of which contain only 23 chromosomes—one from each homologous initial pair. Importantly, each chromosome in these cells is composed of two joined copies, and when these cells enter meiosis II, the goal is to separate such sister chromatids using the same microtubule-based network employed in other division processes. The result of meiosis II is two haploid cells, each...
209.9K
02:50Spindle Assembly
4.4K
Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a...
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a...
4.4K
02:27The Mitotic Spindle
8.3K
The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures...
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures...
8.3K