Decades ago, scientists had almost no information on human embryos and how they developed. The little information they had came from the remaining parts of miscarriages. Then in the 1970s, after the development of vitro fertilization, researchers began using embryos donated to fertility clinics for research.
This type of research was limited, as it was banned in some countries, and most other countries placed a 14-day limit on the research. For a while, the limit didn’t restrict much, as the embryos perished a few days past fertilization. However, in 2016, Dr. Zernicka-Goetz’s team managed to keep the embryos alive up until the 14-day point, but then destroyed them to abide with the law.
Recently, scientists have been able to create embryo models using stem cells. In adults, these stem cells can be found in the skin to heal cuts and wounds. In embryos, these cells develop into a wide variety of different cells.
A year ago, Dr. Zernicka-Goetz’s team and Dr. Jacob Hanna’s team used stem cells of mice to create models. Now, they’re replicating the experiment with human cells. And while each team each has their own method, they all rely on the same biology.
Some cells will divide into other cells, creating new cells. Other cells will go on to create tissues that make up the embryo. While we still largely don’t know most of the development of the embryo, we’ve made a lot of progress.
“We know the basics, but the very fine details we just don’t know,” said Dr. Hanna.
The models have helped the teams understand the development of embryos a lot better. Dr. Zernicka-Goetz said, “This was absolutely thrilling.” If they can create more reliable models of the embryos, they could be used to test infections and diseases. Also, the stem cells can be developed into early blood cells for patients after certain transplants.
Although success is hopeful, there is lots of room for failure. While most teams have been able to create an embryo-looking cluster, over half of the time, they were failures. In the end, before we get to all these possibilities, there is a lot more research to be done.
This type of research was limited, as it was banned in some countries, and most other countries placed a 14-day limit on the research. For a while, the limit didn’t restrict much, as the embryos perished a few days past fertilization. However, in 2016, Dr. Zernicka-Goetz’s team managed to keep the embryos alive up until the 14-day point, but then destroyed them to abide with the law.
Recently, scientists have been able to create embryo models using stem cells. In adults, these stem cells can be found in the skin to heal cuts and wounds. In embryos, these cells develop into a wide variety of different cells.
A year ago, Dr. Zernicka-Goetz’s team and Dr. Jacob Hanna’s team used stem cells of mice to create models. Now, they’re replicating the experiment with human cells. And while each team each has their own method, they all rely on the same biology.
Some cells will divide into other cells, creating new cells. Other cells will go on to create tissues that make up the embryo. While we still largely don’t know most of the development of the embryo, we’ve made a lot of progress.
“We know the basics, but the very fine details we just don’t know,” said Dr. Hanna.
The models have helped the teams understand the development of embryos a lot better. Dr. Zernicka-Goetz said, “This was absolutely thrilling.” If they can create more reliable models of the embryos, they could be used to test infections and diseases. Also, the stem cells can be developed into early blood cells for patients after certain transplants.
Although success is hopeful, there is lots of room for failure. While most teams have been able to create an embryo-looking cluster, over half of the time, they were failures. In the end, before we get to all these possibilities, there is a lot more research to be done.
