Spanish scientists were able to create an embryo-a hybrid of man and monkey

In 2017, the researchers used a revolutionary technique of gene editing CRISPR to inactivate genes in mouse embryos, which are necessary for the development of the heart, eye, and pancreas. They then injected stem cells of rats, is able to generate these organs. The result was a series of embryos, chimeras of the rat and mouse

Salk Institute

A team of Spanish scientist Juan Carlos Izpisua were able for the first time to have a successful experience in the introduction of human stem cells in a genetically modified embryo monkeys: such hybrids are called “chimeras”. This was reported by a biologist and Vice-rector for research of the Catholic University of Murcia Estrella nuñez, quoted by the newspaper El Pais.

According to the publication, the aim of scientists is to advance in the creation of organs for transplantation. The team of Ispizua conducted an experiment in the lab in China. Experts genetically modified embryos of monkeys to inactivated genes that are required for the formation of their bodies. Then scientists injected human stem cells capable of generating tissue of any kind.

In the end it turned out the embryo-Chimera monkeys with human cells, which never was born, as scientists terminated the pregnancy. “The results are very promising,” said núñez. The authors of the study did not offer more information because they expect the publication of results in international scientific journal. Further experiments are planned with human cells, rodents, pigs and primates.

The team of Ispizua already held in 2017, the world’s first experiment to create a hybrid of human and pig, although with less success: the human cells are very poorly contributed to the development of the embryo. But the team has successfully created hybrids between species, more closely related to each other, such as mouse and rat. In 2017, the researchers used a revolutionary technique of gene editing CRISPR to inactivate genes in mouse embryos, which are necessary for the development of the heart, eye, and pancreas. They then injected stem cells of rats, is able to generate these organs. The result was a series of embryos, chimeras of the rat and mouse.

It is noted that the work of Izpisua with monkeys in China was largely funded by the Catholic University of Murcia. This is a very expensive study, the cost of which is several hundred thousand euros, also in Spain these types of tests is allowed only for the study of deadly diseases. The main sponsors of biomedical research in the world is the National institutes of health of the United States, which are not supported by studies of chimeras of humans and animals, however, such studies support the Ministry of defense and the California Institute for regenerative medicine.

Director of the Center for regenerative medicine of Barcelona ángel Raya recalled the “ethical barriers” faced by such experiments. “What happens if the stem cells will be released and will form human neurons in the brain of an animal?”, the expert noted. In turn núñez assured that the researchers involved “mechanisms for the self-destruction of human cells” when they go into the brain of the animal.

Raya skeptical about the possibility to turn animals into incubators of organs for people, but believes that these studies will be very useful for getting models to study embryonic development and some human diseases.