Embryo News and Research

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Mothers pass on the legacy of stress exposure to future generations

A mother's response to stress can even influence her grandchildren. Biologists at the University of Iowa found that roundworm mothers subjected to heat stress passed, under certain conditions and through modifications to their genes, the legacy of that stress exposure not only to their offspring but even to their offspring's children.

13 Oct 2021

Using genetic screening for selecting the 'best' embryo in IVF

Each year, tens of thousands of babies are born in the United States as the result of IVF (in vitro fertilization) – where several eggs are fertilized outside the mother's body and then an embryo is selected for transfer into her womb.

12 Oct 2021

Using AI in biology to unravel how cells fight off invaders

Imagine the day when any tissue or organ can be repaired or the replacements personalized to the patient.

7 Oct 2021

Scientists create a novel cell model for understanding human development

The earliest moments of human development—between the time of fertilization and when the embryo implants in the womb—have remained opaque to scientists.

9 Sep 2021

Highly extensive Gut Cell Atlas will transform research into intestinal diseases

Many diseases have their origin in early human development, and today (8th September), two publications in Nature reveal how researchers from the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) consortium are advancing understanding of this.

9 Sep 2021

New, one-stop method developed to avoid de novo genetic disease in embryos

De novo variants (DNVs), genetic mutations that were not previously identifiable in the family history of one of two prospective parents, may cause disease in any children they have.

31 Aug 2021

Can molecular mimicry impact fertility in female COVID-19 patients?

There exists a possibility that COVID-19 can also affect the reproductive function in the body, which can lead to infertility in infected patients. A study published in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology explored the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on reproductive functions and fertility.

30 Aug 2021

Mystery of roe deer embryonic diapause revealed

Everyone is familiar with the roe deer, either from crossword puzzles or from real-life encounters during a jog or a hike in the forest: majestic creatures with elegant big black eyes.

28 Aug 2021

Novel CRISPR-based technology for rapidly screening genes to understand human health and disease

Zebrafish- small, fast-growing creatures who share many of the same genes as humans- are instrumental to many biologists, who find them uniquely well suited for studying a wide range of questions, from how organisms develop to how the nervous system drives behavior.

20 Aug 2021

Blue light can activate key signaling pathway that plays role in embryonic development and cancer

Blue light is illuminating new understanding of a key signaling pathway in embryo development, tissue maintenance and cancer genesis.

17 Aug 2021

Structure of BRCA2 protein complex critical for DNA repair solved

The initials BRCA2 may be best known for a gene associated with many cases of breast cancer, and the protein encoded by the BRCA2 gene is critical to repairing breaks in DNA.

13 Aug 2021

Researchers identify human sperm mutations that can cause disease in children

Throughout development, life and the processes of aging, all human cells accumulate mutations, resulting in what is called mosaicism, a condition in which different cells in the same person have different DNA sequences or genetic makeup.

12 Aug 2021

HKU research team sheds critical insight on what causes abnormal embryo elongation

Fetal abnormalities are of concern to all prospective parents, and many of these problems originate from abnormalities in the development of the embryo particularly during its elongation and division.

10 Aug 2021

Feinstein Institutes awarded $2.9 million NIH funding for polygenic embryo selection studies

Genetic testing and selection of embryos generated from in vitro fertilization have given rise to the controversial “designer baby” debate.

4 Aug 2021

Study provides new understanding on function of mitofusin 2 in cellular energy metabolism

Mitofusin 2 is a key protein in the regulation of the physiology of mitochondria ─cellular organelles that produce energy─ involved in several neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in cancer.

30 Jul 2021

Researchers create detailed molecular atlas of fetal development of the brain

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a detailed molecular atlas of the fetal development of the brain.

28 Jul 2021

Researchers develop a cell culture test to detect substances that harm the placenta and embryo

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a cell culture test to detect substances that are directly or indirectly harmful to embryos. Based on an existing test used for developing new drugs and chemicals, the augmented version is designed to help reduce the number of animal experiments.

22 Jul 2021