Scientists from the Wiezmann Institute of Science in Israel have developed models similar to human embryos, without sperm, eggs or uterus.
The model, which is obtained from stem cells in the laboratory and called the “embryo model”, looks like a real 14-day embryo. The embryo even secretes hormones that will result in a positive pregnancy test.
The study, published in the journal Nature, reported that the developed synthetic embryo models have all the structures and compartments characteristic of this stage, including the placenta, egg sac, chorionic sac and other external tissues.
In the statement made by the institute, Prof. It was underlined that the human embryo models obtained by the researchers led by Jacob Hanna could provide an unprecedented opportunity to shed new light on the mysterious beginnings of the embryo.
“FIRST MONTH STILL BLACK BOX”
Within a few weeks after the sperm fertilizes the egg, the cells form the first stages of transformation into a being that takes the form of a baby.
Commenting on the research, Dr Hanna said, “The drama happens in the first month, the remaining eight months of pregnancy are mostly full of growth. But that first month is still largely a black box.” said.
Emphasizing that the stem cell-derived human embryo model offers an ethical and accessible way of looking at this box, Dr. Hanna “closely mimics the development of a real human embryo, particularly the emergence of its extremely thin architecture.” he informed.
FROM STEM CELL TO FULL EMBRYO MODEL!
The team built the research on synthetic stem cell experiments developed based on mouse embryo models they had previously accomplished.
Without a fertilized egg or uterus, the researchers reprogrammed the naive stem cells they used as a starting material to gain the potential to grow into any type of tissue in the body.
This stage coincides with the seventh day of the natural human embryo, when it implants in the womb. From this point on, the researchers divided the cells into three groups that were present in the early stages of the human embryo, leaving the cells that would develop into embryos alone. Cells developed using only chemicals, without genetically altering their genetics, formed the structure that created the placenta, egg sac and chorionic sac.
“An embryo is by definition self-directed; we don’t need to tell it what to do – we just have to unleash its internally encoded potential,” Dr Hanna said. told in his words.
SEM, or stem cell-based embryo-like structures developed in this way, develop normally outside the uterus for eight days. When the human reaches a developmental stage equivalent to the 14th day in embryonic development, it moves to the next stage and the precursors of the body organs begin to develop.
WHY IS SYNTHETIC EMBRYO STUDIES IMPORTANT?
Little is known about the early embryo, as it is very difficult to study for both ethical and technical reasons.
The clump of cells that settles in the uterus on the seventh day of its existence becomes a well-structured embryo containing all body organs within three to four weeks. The first stages are of great importance for the development of the embryo.
This is thought to be a critical but poorly understood period of time that causes miscarriage and birth defects.
It is stated that this method, which will allow to understand these stages ethically, legally and technically, can help reveal the causes of birth defects and infertility, and also lead to new technologies for growing transplant tissues and organs.
(Euronews)