Ever wondered what happens in the earliest stages of human life? 🧐 Chinese scientists have just unlocked a new chapter in human development by creating the first 3D model of a three-week-old human embryo! 🎉
Until now, the period between 14 and 21 days after fertilization was considered a \"black box\" due to ethical limits on in-vitro embryo culture beyond 14 days. But researchers from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China Agricultural University have found a way around this. They've reconstructed a detailed 3D model by analyzing 38,562 gene spots and integrating gene expression patterns with spatial information. 🧬🔬
This groundbreaking work, published in the journal Cell this week, doesn't just stop at modeling. The team also explored the dynamic activity of signaling pathways along the embryonic body axis. This could have huge implications for understanding miscarriages and fetal disorders in early development. 🌟
Why is this so cool? Because it gives scientists—and us—a peek into a previously uncharted phase of life. It could pave the way for new insights into how we develop from the very beginning! 🚼❤️
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists build 3D model of three-week human embryo
cgtn.com
