DNA Not the Same in Every Cell
New research shows that when it comes to DNA, every cell in the body is essentially identical to every other cell
Research by a group of Montreal scientists calls into question one of the most basic assumptions of human genetics: that when it comes to DNA, every cell in the body is essentially identical to every other cell. This discovery may undercut the rationale behind numerous large-scale genetic studies conducted over the last 15 years. This discovery came from an investigation into the underlying genetic causes of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) led by Dr Morris Schweitzer, Dr Bruce Gottlieb, Dr Lorraine Chalifour and colleagues at McGill University and the affiliated Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital. The researchers focused on BAK, a gene that controls cell death. AAA is one of the rare vascular diseases where tissue samples are removed as part of patient therapy. When they compared them, the researchers discovered major differences between BAK genes in blood cells and tissue cells coming from the same individuals, with the suspected disease 'trigger' residing only in the tissue. Moreover, the same differences were later evident in samples derived from healthy individuals.