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Sunday, 22 June 2003 |
SCIENTISTS claimed yesterday to have unraveled their Holy Grail — the secret of how life begins. Welsh researchers said they discovered a molecular trigger in sperm that kick-starts the ferti1isation process.
The discovery has implications for childless couples and could revolutionize cloning and stem cell research. Fertilization was known to be triggered by calcium surging through the egg but no-one knew exactly how it happened. Now Prof Tony Lai and a team at the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff have identified a ‘sperm factor’ gene that acts’ as the ‘master key’ to begin fertilization.
Prof Lai said last night ‘We’re thrilled to be at the forefront of such an exciting discovery. Potential benefits to medicine are immense.’
The breakthrough could pave the way to new fertility treatments. It may also lead to effective contraceptives for men and be useful in cloning and growing tissue from stem cells to treat diseases.
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