Publications by authors named "Vera Zywitza"
Article Synopsis
- The use of living biological samples is crucial for preserving and documenting biological diversity, requiring reliable identification and data association for effective use and exchange of these materials.
- There is currently no standardized naming system for identifying animal biological materials, which can lead to misidentification and data loss.
- A newly proposed naming scheme aims to create unique identifiers for animal cellular materials, particularly for wildlife species, enhancing traceability and supporting long-term conservation efforts and biomedical research.
Article Synopsis
- In vitro gametogenesis allows scientists to create gametes from pluripotent cells, which helps study germ cell development and find new sources of gametes.
- The research focused on inducing primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from stem cells of the endangered northern white rhinoceros (NWR) and the closely related southern white rhinoceros (SWR), identifying that certain proteins are crucial for this differentiation process.
- This study successfully generated PGCLCs from NWR stem cells and identified specific cell surface markers to isolate these cells, laying the groundwork for producing NWR gametes in the lab and further understanding germ cell development in large animals.
Less than 80 Sumatran rhinos (SR, are left on earth. Habitat loss and limited breeding possibilities are the greatest threats to the species and lead to a continuous population decline. To stop the erosion of genetic diversity, reintroduction of genetic material is indispensable.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The northern white rhinoceros (NWR) is critically endangered, and scientists are using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create gametes and embryos to help save the species.
- Researchers generated iPSCs from a deceased NWR female and found they share notable similarities with human stem cells, demonstrating strong potential for differentiation into various cell types.
- Although the NWR iPSCs are currently not suitable for producing gametes, their developmental potential provides essential insights that could aid in future efforts to specify primordial germ cells and ultimately help prevent the species’ extinction.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) contribute to plasticity and repair of the adult brain. Niches harboring NSCs regulate stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. We used comprehensive and untargeted single-cell RNA profiling to generate a molecular cell atlas of the largest germinal region of the adult mouse brain, the subventricular zone (SVZ).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- CircRNAs, particularly Cdr1as, are abundant in the mammalian brain and are closely tied to certain microRNAs (miR-7 and miR-671) that regulate brain function.
- Knocking out the Cdr1as locus in mice leads to issues with sensorimotor gating, suggesting a link to neuropsychiatric disorders and revealing dysfunctional synaptic transmission.
- The study highlights the importance of Cdr1as in maintaining normal brain function and suggests that its interaction with miR-7 and miR-671 is crucial for regulating immediate early genes associated with behavior.
Article Synopsis
- The role of alternative splicing (AS) in stem cells is not well understood, especially compared to transcriptional regulation.
- Researchers studied AS in planarian stem cells and found a conserved program that includes many different alternative exons and introns, revealing key regulators of this process.
- The interaction between CELF and MBNL proteins is crucial for regulating stem cell-specific AS, and altering these factors affects the stem cells’ ability to regenerate and differentiate.