Scientists have long been interested in exploring the unlimited self-renewal abilities of stem cells, which can differentiate into all the cells in our bodies. A research team led by Dr. Jean Lu, an associate researcher at the Genome Research Center, Academia Sinica, found that a membrane protein called “PODXL” (Podocalyxin-Like Protein 1) can regulate the biosynthesis pathway of cholesterol. Through this research, the research team demonstrated that overexpressing PODXL in human embryonic stem cells (hEPSCs) can increase the developmental ability of human-mouse chimeras from 30% to 57% when the cells are aggregated with mouse embryos at the 8-cell stage. These results have been published in the journal Advanced Science.

For further information: https://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/index.php/en/news/lastest-news/718-podxl-8
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202205451