Ancient Gene Revives Mouse from Pre-Animal Origins

Researchers have created a mouse using stem cells derived from a gene found in choanoflagellates, a single-celled organism related to animals, revealing the ancient origins of stem cell machinery. This breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, challenges the belief that key genes for pluripotency evolved exclusively within animals, suggesting they originated far earlier. The study highlights the evolutionary continuity of genetic tools and their potential applications in regenerative medicine, offering insights into optimizing stem cell therapies.