• Question: What is somatic cell nuclear transfer?

    Asked by blondekid123 to Samantha, Matt, Karolina, David, Anita on 28 Jan 2014.
    • Photo: Anita Hall

      Anita Hall answered on 28 Jan 2014:

      Hello
      Thanks for the question

      SCNT is a process where a nucleus (and its genetic information) is carefully taken out of an egg cell. It is then replaced with the nucleus of a differentiated somatic cell perhaps of another individual (that is a cell from anywhere in the body apart from egg or sperm). The egg, with its new nucleus (and new genetic information) is then given a gentle electric or chemical shock that triggers it to divide. If the egg and nucleus are undamaged, they can work together to produce a whole new individual using the genetic information from the donor nucleus. This new individual is a clone of the nucleus donor.

Comments