Submitted by scrooch t3_xzfe6h in askscience
Fabisoli t1_irniyx4 wrote
It would be quite impossible to do it. Even though mice are used as animal models, they are quite different from us. Here are some differences: First, human cells and mouse cells have a different amount of chromosomes (we have 3 more pairs). Second, we share a lot of genes, but it's quite common that there are some small differences in the sequences of them. So, for example, we both have genes with the same name that will be translated into proteins with similar funcions, but when we compare the molecules in detail they have a few differences. And third, we have a lot of genes that are species specific, so they can only be found in humans. With CRISPR we could add a human gene to a mouse stem cells, but this would be a very punctual and precise change to the DNA of those cells.
And if you really want to get your mind blown you might want to look into epigenetics. So basically, how the DNA is folded down into the cell can determine which genes are "read" and translated into protein. Because of epigenetics a neuron and skin cell, which have the same DNA, can perform entirely different functions.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments