Repository logo
 

Behind the developing brains and beating hearts of stem cell-derived embryo models.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Abstract

Studies over the past decade have shown how stem cells representing embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues of the mouse can self-assemble in the culture dish to recapitulate an astonishing part of early embryonic development. A systematic analysis has demonstrated how pluripotent embryonic stem cells can be induced to behave like the implanting epiblast; how they can interact with trophectoderm stem cells to form a patterned structure resembling the implanting embryo prior to gastrulation; and how the third stem cell type-extra-embryonic endoderm cells-can be incorporated to generate structures that undergo the cell movements and gene expression patterns of gastrulation. Moreover, such stem cell-derived embryo models can proceed to neurulation and establish progenitors for all parts of the brain and neural tube, somites, beating heart structures and gut tube. They develop within extra-embryonic yolk sacs that initiate haematopoiesis. Here we trace this journey of discovery.

Description

Peer reviewed: True

Keywords

embryo models, haematopoiesis, stem cells, Pregnancy, Female, Mice, Animals, Embryo, Mammalian, Embryonic Development, Endoderm, Embryonic Stem Cells, Brain, Cell Differentiation

Journal Title

Open Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2046-2441
2046-2441

Volume Title

Publisher

The Royal Society