In March 2012, one of the world’s leading embryologists, Shukhrat Mitalipov, who carried out the world’s first cloning of a primate, a male macaque, in 2007 and developed a technique for correcting mitochondrial mutations in human eggs in 2009 came to Moscow to meet with specialists from the Human Stem Cell Institute.
Sh. Mitalipov’s method of treating hereditary diseases is based on the transplantation of a chromosomal complex in eggs. Thanks to this technique, macaques Mito and Trucker were born in 2009. In the eggs from which the monkeys developed, the mother’s nuclear genetic material was transplanted into a pre-enucleated donor egg. In the future, this technology will allow mothers at high risk of congenital transmission of mitochondrial mutations to have healthy children. In addition, according to Shukhrat Mitalipov, the main reason for frequent IVF failures when using native oocytes in women older than 35 is the “aging” of the egg cytoplasm. The use of donor cytoplasm will significantly increase the likelihood of a successful IVF cycle without resorting to using oocytes that belong to donors completely.
The described technology has not yet been adapted for human eggs. “Each species has its own development characteristics,” says Shukhrat Mitalipov. “Methods for cloning mammals were initially developed on rodents and farm animals, but these technologies did not work on primates. Therefore, investigation of cloning methods for primates had to be carried out on primate eggs. Additional adjustments are needed that can only be done on human eggs.” Sh. Mitalipov’s laboratory calculated that “from 200 to 500 premium-quality eggs would be required” to conduct such studies.
US law allows experiments with donor and human cells. Shukhrat Mitalipov emphasizes that genetic research in his laboratory is “aimed at eliminating unfavorable mutations and hereditary diseases.”
“Unfortunately, in Russia, there is no research at the level of the laboratory headed by Shukhrat Mitalipov,” comments Artur Isaev, the Human Stem Cell Institute CEO. “The development of drugs and treatment methods for orphan and hereditary diseases is the main driver behind the development of modern biology and medicine. All major discoveries currently take place in this field. Russian researchers are also working in this area. Our company focuses on hereditary and orphan diseases. Without this, the innovative development of medical science in Russia is impossible.”
Shukhrat Mitalipov will speak more about the results of his research aimed at correcting mitochondrial mutations in human eggs on May 28, 2012 in Moscow at the V Annual International Symposium on Topical Issues of Gene and Cell Technologies. To register for the symposium or read the event program, please use this link: http://celltech.ru/announcements
Shukhrat Mitalipov is a famous scientist who studied in Moscow. He defended his thesis at the Scientific Center for Medical Genetics (Moscow). He has lived and worked in Oregon since 1998. Professor at the Oregon National Primate Research Center, Professor at the Stem Cell Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, and Department of Pediatrics at the Oregon Health & Science University (USA), Head of the Division of Reproductive Sciences Laboratory.