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September 2023
By: Katrin C
The intricate process of human embryonic development has long eluded direct observation due to its occurrence within the womb. However, a revolutionary breakthrough has emerged from the laboratories of Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz and her team at the University of Cambridge, offering a window into the mysterious early stages of human development. Published in the esteemed journal Nature, their work introduces a human embryo-like model derived from pluripotent stem cells.
Unlike natural embryos, these models are not destined to develop into full-fledged organisms. Rather, they provide a unique opportunity for scientists to delve into the intricate processes that transpire during the second week of development. This stage, characterized by embryo implantation into the uterus, has been notoriously challenging to study due to its inaccessibility in the human body.
Professor Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz explains, "Our human embryo-like model, created entirely from human stem cells, gives us access to the developing structure at a stage that is normally hidden from us due to the implantation of the tiny embryo into the mother’s womb." This advancement empowers researchers to manipulate genes and explore their developmental roles in a controlled model system. Understanding these roles has traditionally been difficult within the confines of natural embryos.
The implications of this breakthrough extend far beyond the realm of scientific curiosity. The second week of development is a critical juncture when the embryo implants into the uterus. Unfortunately, this period is associated with a significant number of pregnancy losses. By closely observing and comprehending the underlying developmental processes, researchers aspire to unravel the causes of human birth defects and diseases. Additionally, the knowledge gained from these models could pave the way for diagnostic tests for pregnant women.
Previously, the study of these processes relied on animal models, utilizing cells from species such as zebrafish and mice. However, the ethical and practical limitations of such approaches have propelled the need for human-specific models. The stem cell-derived embryo-like models fill this crucial gap, enabling scientists to peer into the intricate details of human embryogenesis that were hidden.
While this breakthrough has the potential to reshape our understanding of early human development, it is underpinned by ethical considerations. Regulations govern the use of stem cell-based models of human embryos, and researchers must obtain approval from ethics committees to conduct such work. These safeguards ensure that scientific progress is balanced with ethical responsibility.
Crucially, the advancements achieved by Zernicka-Goetz's team also hold the promise of reducing the reliance on donated human embryos for research purposes. Previously, the study of early human development beyond a certain point relied on these embryos. The new stem cell-derived models could alleviate this demand, contributing to more sustainable and responsible research practices.
As we marvel at the remarkable strides made in understanding early human development, it is important to emphasize the limits of these models. They can mimic certain aspects of embryonic development, but they do not possess the potential to evolve into postnatal stage humans. Furthermore, their use in reproductive aims is strictly prohibited due to the inherent risks associated with highly manipulated human cells.
In a world where scientific progress intertwines with ethical considerations, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz's groundbreaking work represents a triumph of responsible and pioneering research. With ethical guidelines in place, these stem cell-derived embryo-like models offer a profound opportunity to illuminate how human development works, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of life's earliest stages.
References
Human embryo-like models created from stem cells to understand. (2023, June 27). University of Cambridge.
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/human-embryo-like-models-created-from-stem-cells-to-understand-earliest-stages-of-human-development#:~:text=Cambridge%20scientists%20have%20created%20a,why%20and%20how%20pregnancies%20fail.
Neuroscience News. (2023). Human Embryo-Like Model Derived from Stem Cells Opens New Avenues for Research. Neuroscience News.
https://neurosciencenews.com/stem-cell-embryo-model-23539//
Scientists Create Embryo-Like Model that Mimics Post-Implantation Stage of Human Development. (n.d.). California Institute of Technology. https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/scientists-create-embryo-like-model-that-mimics-post-implantation-stage-of-human-development
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