After conception occurs in humans, the development cycle begins. The earliest stages of infancy and life in terms of biology are a big mystery to researchers worldwide. As an embryo is developing, it undergoes varied levels of changes that can’t be tracked due to certain ethical and practical challenges. However, with scientists in our world anything is possible. Researchers at the Rockefeller University, New York, have created a 3D model of early embryonic tissues using stem cells, helping them simulate the real-life embryonic developmental processes.
The first concept behind using stem cells for understanding embryonic development came to light back in 2014. However, it used conventional 2D stem cells that could not take on the proper shape of an embryo, meaning it was limited in its approach. This further prevented the researchers from making any real progress in case of studying embryonic growth. An example presented by researchers is that of an embryo attaching itself to the uterus. With 2D stem cells system in place, it was practically impossible for the researchers to get a grasp of such a complex phenomena.
To mitigate this issue, researchers used different advanced methods to create a 3D model that simulated a fourteen day old human embryo. “Attachment is inherently a 3D problem..We combined several techniques—bioengineering, physics, and developmental biology—to create this model...We now have a 3D system that mimics not only the embryo’s genetic fingerprint, but also its shape and size”, mentioned Mijo Simunovic, Junior Fellow, Simons Society of Fellows.
Once the model was ready and looked like a human embryo, it was time to test whether it could also function like an embryo. To further test the model, researchers experimented with the process of symmetry breaking in the model. “Symmetry breaking drives almost everything that happens during embryonic development. Our heads don’t look like our feet, and that’s because, at some point, the embryo breaks into two parts, anterior and posterior”, says Simunovic.
To help the model perform symmetry breaking, researchers fed the model with a chemical called BMP4 (Bone morphogenetic protein 4) as it could effectively induce symmetry breaking within the model. “We added BMP4, and two days later one part of the three-dimensional culture became the future posterior, and the opposite part became the future anterior,” says Simunovic.
Now that the research is successful, researchers hope that this tool would act as a guide to study embryonic growth, and would help with innovations that further promote healthy pregnancies.
