Improved Model System Allows Researchers To Study Embryo Development

Research led by Bohan Chen and Professor Idse Heemskerk in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Michigan Medicine has improved a stem cell-based model known as a gastruloid to more accurately simulate early embryo development. By extending the lifespan and complexity of these models, the team uncovered how mesoderm cells migrate and differentiate, offering new insights into the origins of birth defects and pregnancy loss. Read the full article to learn how this research could transform our understanding of early human development and disease prevention.