Scientists unveil improved method of DNA transfer between human egg cells

a. Protein transfer

b. Protein IVF

c. Three Person IVF

d. None of the above

 

Scientists have unveiled an improved method of transferring DNA between human egg cells, a technique called pronuclear transfer or three person IVF to create embryos free of genetic defects and impairments

• Method involves extracting healthy DNA of mother and father from the nucleus of the fertilised egg
• Each egg cell also contains different types of DNA residing in tiny cell structures known as mitochondria
• Sometimes the mitochondrial DNA undergo mutations which can be transmitted to offspring and can cause an array of disorders.
• The nuclear DNA is transferred into a donated egg cell -- with healthy mitochondrial DNA -- from which the nucleus has been removed.
• This marks significant progress towards a safer form of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) for women who carry disease-causing mitochondrial mutations.
• Estimates vary widely, but about one in 5,000 children is thought to be born with these mutations which can affect the muscles, eye, brain or heart.
• Mitochondria are tiny structures inside our cells which turn sugar and oxygen into energy- they are known as powerhouses or batteries of the cells
• Mitochondria have their own DNA separate from DNA within the cell nucleus.
• In 2015, Britain became the first country in the world to legalise pronuclear transfer for women with mitochondrial disorders.
• The new study, using over 500 eggs from 64 donor women, showed that small tweaks to the existing procedure can reduce the risk of mutant mitochondrial DNA transferral.
• It worked best to perform the procedure on the day of the egg's fertilisation, not later, the scientists found and it was better to freeze the egg of the patient, rather than that of the donor.

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