What significant achievement did John Gurdon accomplish with nuclear transfer?

John Gurdon's significant achievement with nuclear transfer was the successful cloning of a frog, specifically the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). This work, carried out in the 1950s and 1960s, demonstrated that it was possible to take the nucleus from a somatic cell (a non-reproductive cell) and transfer it into an enucleated egg cell (an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed).

This groundbreaking experiment led to the conclusion that the nucleus of a differentiated cell still carries all the genetic information necessary to develop into a complete organism, challenging previous understandings of cell specialization and differentiation. Gurdon's research laid the groundwork for subsequent advances in cloning and regenerative medicine, including the development of techniques used in cloning mammals, such as Dolly the sheep.

This historic achievement had a profound impact on the fields of developmental biology and biotechnology, illustrating the potential for somatic cell nuclear transfer and setting the stage for future innovations in cloning practices.