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Review
. 2021 May 11;16(5):1031-1038.
doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.02.002. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Opportunities and challenges with stem cell-based embryo models

Janet Rossant  1 , Patrick P L Tam  2
Affiliations
Review

Opportunities and challenges with stem cell-based embryo models

Janet Rossant et al. Stem Cell Reports. .

Abstract

Stem cell-based embryo models open an unprecedented avenue for modeling embryogenesis, cell lineage differentiation, tissue morphogenesis, and organogenesis in mammalian development. Experimentation on these embryo models can lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of development and offers opportunities for functional genomic studies of disease-causing mechanisms, identification of therapeutic targets, and preclinical modeling of advanced therapeutics for precision medicine. An immediate challenge is to create embryo models of high fidelity to embryogenesis and organogenesis in vivo, to ensure that the knowledge gleaned is biologically meaningful and clinically relevant.

Keywords: amniotic sac; blastoids; embryo models; gastruloids; human embryo development; primitive streak; stem cells.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Non-integrated And Integrated Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models Generated from Embryo-Derived Stem Cells and Extended Potential Stem Cells ES cells, embryonic stem cells; TS cells, trophectoderm stem cells; XEN cells, extraembryonic endoderm cells; EPS cells, extended/expanded potential stem cells (image courtesy of Jiang Yang and Pentao Liu).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The Path to the Generation of Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models The production of the embryo models would require the integration of multi-disciplinary knowledge to build an in silico model, followed by translating the digital information to the generation of the in vitro model. The generation of non-integrated stem cell-based embryo models may involve the stepwise development through the gastruloid and embryoid to the morphogenesis models and organoid models. The integrated stem cell-based embryo model requires the assembly of blastocyst lineage stem cells into the blastoid and the blastoid-derived postimplantation embryoid.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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