First described by Randolph in 1897, the nature and main features of planarian neoblasts
have a long rambling history. While their morphologically undifferentiated features have long …

A genetic continuity of living organisms relies on the germline which is a specialized cell
lineage producing gametes. Essential in the germline functioning is the protection of genetic …

Schistosomiasis is among the most prevalent human parasitic diseases, affecting more than
200 million people worldwide. The aetiological agents of this disease are trematode …

Evidence from confocal microscopic reconstruction of maize anther development in fertile,
mac1 (excess germ cells), and msca1 (no germ cells) flowers indicates that the male germ …

PIWI proteins and their bound PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are found in animal
germlines and are essential for fertility, but their functions outside of the gonad are not well …

Our understanding of human germ cell development is limited in large part due to
inaccessibility of early human development to molecular genetic analysis. Pluripotent …

Since 1892, it has been widely assumed that somatic mutations are evolutionarily irrelevant
in animals because they cannot be inherited by offspring. However, some nonbilaterians …

Clonal animals do not sequester a germ line during embryogenesis. Instead, they have adult
stem cells that contribute to somatic tissues or gametes. How germ fate is induced in these …

The founder cells of the gametes are primordial germ cells (PGCs). In mammals, PGCs are
specified early during embryonic development, at the boundary between embryonic and …

The plant life cycle alternates between a diploid sporophytic phase and haploid
gametophytic phase, with the latter giving rise to the gametes. Male gametophyte …