Genetic Blueprint of Single Sperm Cell Decoded

A new study published in the journal Cell reveals that researchers at Stanford School of Medicine have managed to decode the full genetic blueprint of a single sperm cell. The researchers said that apart from being completely different compared to other body cells, every sperm cell is genetically different from each other.

The researchers revealed that there were 23 recombination events in every sperm, wherein the DNA inherited by a sperm is shuffled, thus mixing up the genes passed on by a man's mother and father. Each sperm also had 25 to 36 new mutations which are not seen in any other cells.

“For the first time we were able to generate an individual recombination map and mutation rate for each of several sperm from one person. Now we can look at a particular individual, make some calls about what they would likely contribute genetically to an embryo, and perhaps even diagnose or detect potential problems”, lead researcher Professor Barry Behr said.

Source-Medindia