Embryonic Development News and Research

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Embryonic development or embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops. It starts with the fertilization of the ovum, egg, which, after fertilization, is then called a zygote. The zygote undergoes rapid mitotic divisions, the formation of two exact genetic replicates of the original cell, with no significant growth (a process known as cleavage) and cellular differentiation, leading to development of an embryo.

FAU researchers discover key factor for early metastases in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive tumour types because it starts forming metastases early. The cancer itself, however, is usually only discovered late. This leads to a high patient mortality rate. Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg have now discovered why pancreatic cancer and other malignant types of tumours can disseminate so rapidly.

18 Apr 2017

Salk scientists discover chemical cocktail that enables stem cells to generate tissues

When scientists talk about laboratory stem cells being totipotent or pluripotent, they mean that the cells have the potential, like an embryo, to develop into any type of tissue in the body.

6 Apr 2017

Scientists develop new understanding of how first blood cells form during human development

Scientists at Lund University in Sweden have developed a new understanding of how the first blood cells form during human development as they transition from endothelial cells to form blood cells of different types.

6 Apr 2017

Scientists identify critical regulator for blood vessel growth in developing embryonic spinal cord

Heidelberg Neuroscientists have identified a critical regulator for blood vessel growth in the developing embryonic spinal cord.

30 Mar 2017

Researchers identify new gene mutation that leads to infertility in women

It has been estimated that more than 80 million people in the world have an unfulfilled desire to have children. But for every 10th couple, the reasons therefor remain unclear.

28 Mar 2017

Researchers uncover gene mutation that may provide answers to unexplained female infertility

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Rice University have uncovered a gene mutation that may provide answers to unexplained female infertility. The study appears in Scientific Reports, a member of the Nature family of journals.

22 Mar 2017

Parasitic fish offers unique insights into evolution of gut neurons in ancient vertebrates

Lamprey are slimy, parasitic eel-like fish, one of only two existing species of vertebrates that have no jaw. While many would be repulsed by these creatures, lamprey are exciting to biologists because they are so primitive, retaining many characteristics similar to their ancient ancestors and thus offering answers to some of life's biggest evolutionary questions

21 Mar 2017

Study reveals mechanisms behind increased risk of thrombosis in patients with malignant brain tumours

Patients with malignant brain tumours have an increased risk of thrombosis. Up until now we did not understand the mechanisms behind this.

16 Mar 2017

Notch activity of cells in tumor microenvironment can influence cancer metastases, study shows

Blood vessels play a critical role in the growth and spread of cancer. The cells lining the inner wall of blood vessels (endothelial cells) and cancer cells are in close contact to each other and mutually influence each other.

3 Mar 2017

Researchers to examine link between zinc deficiency, Hedgehog, and prostate cancer

Experiments show that Hedgehog signaling - a chain of molecular events critical in embryonic development - creates conditions beneficial to the unregulated cell growth associated with cancer in adults.

28 Feb 2017

Scientists unravel mechanism of rare, early phenomenon that can affect human development

The genetic material of an organism encodes the instructions that guide its development. These codes are not written in stone; they can change or mutate any time during the life of the organism.

24 Feb 2017

LMU study shows crucial role of microRNAs in protecting precursors of neurons

Programmed cell death is an integral part of embryonic development. Exploring the regulation of the process, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich researchers have shown that so-called microRNAs protect the precursors of neurons from 'precocious' elimination.

13 Feb 2017

Studies open new windows into understanding untreatable group of common genetic disorders

Two Princeton University studies are opening important new windows into understanding an untreatable group of common genetic disorders known as RASopathies that are characterized by distinct facial features, developmental delays, cognitive impairment and heart problems.

7 Feb 2017

Researchers create first animal model of rare disease linked to problem of adrenal glands

The name of the gene is Armc5, for Armadillo repeat containing 5. Until now, its function was unknown. After 10 years of research, a team at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centrehas succeeded in deleting this gene in experimental mice and discovered that its loss gives rise to a heretofore unidentified syndrome.

7 Feb 2017

Transporters of thyroid hormones play key role in development of the brain, study finds

Thyroid hormones are very important for the development of the brain. And when the transporters of these hormones are not functioning properly, the consequences for the development of the cerebellum or 'the little brain' are very serious.

6 Feb 2017

Johns Hopkins scientists reveal extra centrosomes can promote tumor formation in mice

When a cell is dividing, two identical structures, called centrosomes, move to opposite sides of the cell to help separate its chromosomes into the new cells.

28 Jan 2017

Study identifies conserved role for Ovo protein in controlling germline development in mice and fruit flies

Germline cells are the only cells that develop into eggs or sperm, while somatic cells develop into the body. Progenitors of the germline, known as primordial germ cells (PGCs), differentiate into eggs or sperm after embryonic development.

24 Jan 2017

Study identifies molecular signals that maintain nerve cell structures in the adult brain

Humans and other vertebrates depend on a portion of the brain called the hippocampus for learning, memory and their sense of location. Nerve cell structures in the adult hippocampus are sustained by factors whose identities have remained largely mysterious so far.

19 Jan 2017

TMDU researchers identify metabolic pathway crucial for embryo development

Much has been revealed about how a single fertilized cell, the egg, can develop into a complete organism simply via repeated cycles of cell division. However, many gaps remain in our understanding of how these dividing cells are directed to arrange themselves appropriately at each stage of embryonic development.

18 Jan 2017

Scientists use pluripotent stem cells to generate human stomach tissues in laboratory

Scientists report in Nature using pluripotent stem cells to generate human stomach tissues in a petri dish that produce acid and digestive enzymes.

5 Jan 2017