University of Toronto cell biologists discover on-off switch for key stem cell gene

(University of Toronto) A new study by cell and systems biologists at the University of Toronto investigating stem cells in mice shows, for the first time, a relationship between the Sox2 gene which is critical for early development, and a region elsewhere on the genome that effectively regulates its activity. The discovery could mean a significant advance in the emerging field of human regenerative medicine, as the Sox2 gene is essential for maintaining embryonic stem cells that can develop int...