Scientists managed to grow a mouse embryo in laboratory conditions with stem cells as a basis.
The impressive mouse has a gut, nervous system, and active heartbeat in the University of Virginia. Additionally, its muscles are developing.
The researchers think that the new discovery may be leading us to a new era of organ growth research.
They engineered the cells by merging numerous types of cells, allowing the embryo to be the world’s first vitro model of a mammalian embryo with numerous tissues built from stem cells, a recent press release suggests.
The research is conducted by Christine Thisse, who described the current progress as an achievement.
“Construction of a mammalian embryo model from stem cells organized by a morphogen signaling centre,” she said.
The study is one giant step forward in replicating the natural development of cells in mammals via stem cells.
The lab-grown mouse will aid scientists in further understanding the mammalian cells development process. In return, that can help them combat diseases, work on better medicinal drugs, and, finally, grow tissue and transplant organs in humans.
The new mouse model features the world’s first complete notochord.
A notochord is a cartilaginous skeletal rod supporting the body in all embryos, a specific trait of vertebrates, DailyMailUK reported.
Thisse said that her team managed to instruct stem cells to commence embryonic development.
In response to that trigger, the aggregate stem cells formed an embryo-like species during a process that recapitulates the embryo one by one.
Thisse mentioned that there is enormous relevance of the stem cell mouse embryo, comparable to human organs composed of numerous cell types from all around the embryo.
