Research report 2023 - Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Spark of life
Authors
Tachibana, Kikuë; Bäßler, Tamara
Departments
Forschungsgruppe Totipotenz
Summary
The fertilization of an egg by sperm is the beginning of new life. In this process, the genetic information of both parents is united in the fertilized egg cell. Initially, the genetic information in the nucleus is inactive, and the first cell division is induced solely by maternal gene products. However, from the second cell division on, the newly combined genetic information must be accessed. Together with my team, I have investigated this particular process and discovered a „spark of life”, a genetic factor, that “awakens” the DNA.