Human Embryos News and Research

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Study provides insights into human 8-cell-like cells and early embryonic development

The onset of embryo-specific gene transcription, also known as embryonic genome activation (EGA), is a crucial step in the developmental journey of an organism.

22 Sep 2023

Human post-implantation embryo models show promise in unraveling early development

Researchers evaluate post-implantation development in humans using embryo-like models based on genetically unmodified human naïve embryonic stem cells.

12 Sep 2023

Researchers create "synthetic embryos" from bovine pluripotent stem cells

An article published in the journal Cell Stem Cell describes the first scientific study to develop blastoids – "synthetic embryos", as they were initially (and incorrectly) called – from bovine pluripotent stem cells (PSCs).

26 Jul 2023

Tight junctions between cells may play a critical role in gastrulation in human embryos

As a human embryo grows, a set of molecules directs cells as they multiply and take on specific identities and spatial positions within the embryo.

18 Jul 2023

Season and sunshine hours may affect live birth rates after IVF

The time of year when eggs are collected from women's ovaries during fertility treatment makes a difference to live birth rates, according to new research published today (Thursday) in Human Reproduction, one of the world's leading reproductive medicine journals.

5 Jul 2023

New study warns of dangers of gene editing in human embryos

Scientists have discovered that the cells of early human embryos are often unable to repair damage to their DNA.

26 Jun 2023

New embryonic cell type that self-destructs to protect the developing fetus discovered

Scientists studying gene activity data of the early human embryo have discovered an overlooked type of cell which self-destructs within days of forming, as part of a quality control process to protect the developing fetus.

20 Jun 2023

Neurodevelopmental disruptions could pave the way for Alzheimer's disease

In the cerebral cortex, neurogenesis – the formation of neural cells from stem cells – begins in the fetus from 5 weeks gestation and is almost complete by 28 weeks.

16 Jun 2023

Common scientific method to analyze DNA in early human embryos fails to accurately reflect gene edits

A commonly used scientific method to analyze a tiny amount of DNA in early human embryos fails to accurately reflect gene edits, according to new research led by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University.

7 Mar 2023

Recapitulating early stages of the human body plan in a dish

Although Michelangelo's masterpiece David captured the magnificence of the human body - how this exquisite body plan is exactly established during human development has puzzled scientists for more than a century.

21 Dec 2022

Study identifies genetic variation linked with posterior urethral valves in males

Genetic variation affecting developmental genes not previously linked to urethral development may contribute to a congenital condition that is the most common cause of kidney failure in young males, a study published today in eLife suggests.

20 Sep 2022

Discoveries about embryonic blood stem cell creation may solve donor blood stem cell shortages

Making stem cells from a patient’s adult cells – rather than human embryos – is one of the holy grails in modern medicine treatments. New research brings us two steps closer.

13 Sep 2022

KU Leuven scientists create a new type of human cell in the lab using stem cells

Professor Vincent Pasque and his team at KU Leuven have managed to generate a new type of human cell in the lab using stem cells. The new cells closely resemble their natural counterparts in early human embryos.

1 Sep 2022

Circuits of touch and sight are intermingled in the embryo, study shows

In embryonic stages, tactile stimuli simultaneously activate tactile and visual neural pathways. Shortly after birth, both pathways reorganize to allow separate processing of touch and vision.

18 Aug 2022

Study determines the reason behind the failure of IVF embryos

In humans, a fertilized egg is no guarantee of reproductive success. Most embryos stop developing and perish within days of fertilization, usually because they have an abnormal number of chromosomes. Now, researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons have found that most of these mistakes are due to spontaneous errors in DNA replication in the earliest phase of cell division.

20 Jul 2022

"Selfish chromosomes" explain why most human embryos die very early on, study suggests

New research by a scientist at the Milner Center for Evolution at the University of Bath suggests that "selfish chromosomes" explain why most human embryos die very early on. The study, published in PLoS, Biology, explaining why fish embryos are fine but sadly humans' embryos often don't survive, has implications for the treatment of infertility.

6 Jul 2022

Study provides a crucial reference for fetal tissue generation in the lab

Scientists have identified the biochemical signals that control the emergence of the body pattern in the primate embryo.

16 Jun 2022

Study identifies a gene that plays an important role in embryo development

A new study co-led by a Cedars-Sinai investigator identified a gene that plays an important role in a biological pathway involved in embryo development.

24 May 2022

Regulation of alternative splicing goes haywire in cells of a newly formed embryo

Alternative splicing is a fundamental biological process that allows cells to make many different types of mRNAs and proteins from a limited number of genes. For many animals, including humans, it is a feature that is essential for the development of complex cells such as muscles or neurons.

13 Apr 2022

Predicting the risk of some common diseases in preimplantation fertilized embryos

A new study uses a novel strategy for whole-genome reconstruction by using parental genome sequencing and sibling embryo genotyping.

23 Mar 2022