Culture of human embryos through implantation stages in vitro
The development of the human embryo beyond implantation has been poorly characterised, because in vivo experiments are unfeasible and there is no appropriate in vitro culture system. Here, we describe a protocol to culture human embryos from pre- to post-implantation stages in vitro, in the absence of maternal tissues. This protocol represents a unique opportunity to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human embryo development beyond implantation. In addition, we report a protocol to recapitulate polarisation and lumenogenesis of the embryonic lineage using human pluripotent stem cell lines (hPSCs). We anticipate that future studies using these two in vitro culture systems will help us understand how embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues cooperate to generate the basic human body plan.
Posted 05 May, 2016
Culture of human embryos through implantation stages in vitro
Posted 05 May, 2016
The development of the human embryo beyond implantation has been poorly characterised, because in vivo experiments are unfeasible and there is no appropriate in vitro culture system. Here, we describe a protocol to culture human embryos from pre- to post-implantation stages in vitro, in the absence of maternal tissues. This protocol represents a unique opportunity to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human embryo development beyond implantation. In addition, we report a protocol to recapitulate polarisation and lumenogenesis of the embryonic lineage using human pluripotent stem cell lines (hPSCs). We anticipate that future studies using these two in vitro culture systems will help us understand how embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues cooperate to generate the basic human body plan.
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