Chinese scientists have reconstructed a three-dimensional model of a human embryo between two to three weeks after fertilization, shedding light on a crucial yet largely unexplored phase of human development.
Due to ethical concerns, in-vitro culture of human embryos is restricted to 14 days. Consequently, the developmental period from 14 to 21 days post-fertilization has remained a “black box” for scientists. This breakthrough offers unprecedented insights into this critical stage.
Researchers from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University performed high-resolution profiling on 38,562 gene spots of a human embryo. By integrating gene expression patterns with spatial information, they constructed the detailed 3D model.
The team also investigated the dynamic activity of signaling pathways along the embryonic body axis, according to their study published this week in the journal Cell.
“The study has far-reaching clinical implications for understanding miscarriages and fetal disorders in early embryonic development,” the researchers noted.
This innovative approach could pave the way for new research into human developmental biology, potentially informing medical science on congenital disabilities and reproductive health.
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists build 3D model of three-week human embryo
cgtn.com
