An egg meets a sperm – this is usually the first step to the beginning of life. And also a common first step in embryonic development research. But now scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, have for the first time managed to grow “synthetic embryos” without a fertilized egg and outside the womb.
The researchers cultured the “synthetic embryos” of mice using stem cells grown in test tubes (pictured below) — that is, without the use of fertilized eggs. This method opens up new horizons for understanding how stem cells form different organs in the developing embryo. Generating human embryos in this way remains a distant future for the time being, as many ethical questions remain to be resolved.
“They have beating hearts, developing brains, they have blood circulation and all that without fertilization, sperm or eggs and outside the womb. That’s why we call them ‘synthetic embryos’ or embryoids (pictured below),” says Jacob Hanna of the Weizmann Institute of Science, who grew them.
The embryos are cultured in an “electronically controlled device” that keeps them submerged in a nutrient-rich solution to allow the organs to develop and grow. Hanna believes his research will have enormous potential in the field of regenerative medicine and pave the way for manipulating tissues and organs for human transplants.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
