The NANOG Gene and Human Babies
NANOG 基因與人類嬰兒
Introduction
Scientists found a special gene called NANOG. This gene is very important for human babies to grow.
科學家發現了一種名為 NANOG 的特殊基因。這種基因對於人類嬰兒的生長至關重要。
Main Body
Scientists from Cambridge University used a new tool to change DNA. They stopped the NANOG gene in human embryos. They saw that the baby's body cannot grow without this gene. However, the parts that make the placenta can still grow.
劍橋大學的科學家使用了一種新工具來改變 DNA。他們停止了人類胚胎中的 NANOG 基因。他們發現，如果沒有這種基因，胎兒的身體就無法生長。然而，製造胎盤的部分仍然可以生長。
This is different from mice. In mice, the baby cannot grow the yolk sac without NANOG. In humans, they can. This shows that humans and mice are different. This news helps doctors with IVF to pick the best embryos.
這與小鼠不同。在小鼠中，如果沒有 NANOG，胎兒就無法生長卵黃囊。但在人類中則可以。這顯示人類和小鼠是不同的。此消息有助於從事 IVF（試管嬰兒）的醫生挑選最佳的胚胎。
But the new tool has a problem. Some cells change and some cells do not change. This is called mosaicism. Because of this, the tool is not ready for doctors to use on people yet.
但這種新工具存在一個問題。有些細胞改變了，而有些細胞則沒有改變。這被稱為「鑲嵌現象」。因此，該工具尚未準備好讓醫生應用於人體。
Conclusion
The NANOG gene is necessary for humans to grow. The new DNA tool is helpful, but it is not perfect.
NANOG 基因是人類生長的必要條件。新的 DNA 工具很有幫助，但並不完美。
Vocabulary Learning
💡 The 'Can' and 'Cannot' Rule
In this story, we see how things work (or don't work) using can and cannot. This is the best way to describe abilities or possibilities in English.
How to use it:
- Positive: Subject + can + action
- Negative: Subject + cannot (or can't) + action
Examples from the text:
- The baby's body cannot grow (It is impossible)
- Parts can still grow (It is possible)
- Humans can (They have the ability)
🔍 Word Spotlight: 'Different from'
When you compare two things that are not the same, use this pattern:
[Thing A] + is different from + [Thing B]
Example: "This is different from mice."
Quick Tip: Don't say "different than" or "different with." Stick to different from to sound natural at an A2 level.