| abstract |
Activated human embryos produced by therapeutic cloning can give rise to human totipotent and pluripotent stem cells from which autologous cells for transplantation therapy are derived. The present invention provides methods for producing activated human embryos that can be used to generate totipotent and pluripotent stem cells from which autologous cells and tissues suitable for transplantation can be derived. In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for producing activated human embryos by parthenogenesis; in another embodiment, the invention provides methods for producing activated human embryos by somatic cell nuclear transfer whereby the genetic material of a differentiated human donor cell is reprogrammed to form a diploid human pronucleus capable of directing a cell to generate the stem cells from which autologous, isogenic cells for transplantation therapy are derived. The ability to create autologous human embryos represents a critical step towards generating immune rejection in regenerative medicine. The activated human embryos produced by the present invention also provide model systems for identifying and analyzing the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic imprinting and the genetic regulation of embryogenesis and development. |