X-inactivation is the unusual mode of gene regulation by which most genes on one of the two X chromosomes in female mammalian cells are transcriptionally silenced. The underlying mechanism for this widespread transcriptional repression is unknown. This thesis investigates two key aspects of the X-inactivation process. The first aspect is the correlation between chromatin structure and gene expr...

Determination of gender from human DNA samples is a common problem in forensic laboratories. While several PCR-based assays are currently available for human sex typing, each of the current approaches has limitations. Methods based on male-specific amplification, such as the amplification of the SRY locus [1], lack an internal positive control to discriminate between female DNA and male DNA whi...

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure that allows embryos to be tested for genetic disorders before they enter the uterus and before pregnancy has begun. Embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization undergo a biopsy procedure in which one or two cells are removed and tested for a specific disorder. If the cell is unaffected, the embryo from which it was taken is judged to be free...

In March 2009, the fifth International Meeting of the Stem Cell Network North Rhine Westphalia took place in Aachen, Germany. Numerous fascinating presentations about reprogramming, stem cells, and therapeutic devices were given. A number of excellent speakers from all over the world were invited to present their work. Over 20 high-profile presentations were given on 2 days under the five diffe...