ESTOOLS - Advances with human embryonic stem cells - Embryonic stem cell images on these web pages
Embryonic stem cell images on these web pages
Dr Paul Gokhale, of the Centre for Stem Cell Biology at the University of Sheffield, explains the homepage and flyer:
The HOMEPAGE banner image:
"A critical component used to maintain cells in a pluripotent state is the transcription factor OCT4. By using double stranded RNA homologous to the OCT4 mRNA target, specific degradation of the mRNA can be elicited - the so called RNAi effect. Reduction of OCT4 in pluripotent cells results in differentiation towards cell types that will eventually form the placenta. In this example, human pluripotent stem cells have had the OCT4 expression reduced by RNAi, resulting in formation of multi-nucleate cells reminiscent of the syncytialtrophoblast cells of the placenta. The nuclei of the cells are visualised by staining the cells with a DNA specific dye (Hoeschst 33342, blue), the boundary of the cell in visualised by use of a protein celled phalloidin which is extracted from the death cap mushroom, which has been labelled with a fluorescent dye (Rhodamine, red). As can be seen, many nuclei exist within one cell boundary as visualised by the phalloidin stain." Open the image (in a new window)
The image on the ESTOOLS publicity flyer:
"Embryonic stem cells express genes which are fundemental to keeping them in an undifferentiated state. One such gene in OCT4 which acts in concert with proteins such as NANOG to keep the ES cells as ES cells. In this example a human embryonic stem cells line which has been made to express green fluorescent protein continuously has been probed with an antibody to OCT4 (red) to reveal its expression within an ES colony. The variation in orange colour is caused by the differering levels of OCT4 expression (red) mixing with the green signal in the same cell." Open the image (in a new window)
The ESTOOLS project completed its 4 years of activity. This website remains online as a reference archive.
For hESC and iPSC news and information go to: www.eurostemcell.org
