Artificial embryo - a new reality from British scientists

Cambridge University has made a real breakthrough. The scientists for the first time in history have managed to create an artificial mouse embryo, "Remedium" reports. Now the scientists have a huge amount of data that will help to study the mechanisms of early embryonic development and some causes of spontaneous abortion.

It is known that the scientists connected embryonic stem cells and extraembryonic trophoblastic stem cells (they are usually produced by the placenta) on a three-dimensional frame. After incubation for four days, the cells were developed successfully as well as they formed a structure similar to a real mouse embryo.

This is the first successful attempt to create an artificial embryo without an ovicell. Experts admit the unlikely further development of such embryo, because the fetus must receive nutrients and oxygen from the mother. However, the scientists are going to continue the experiments and add the stem cells of the yolk sac to the three-dimensional framework. They believe this will prolong the differentiation period of the embryo cells up to the beginning of internal organs formation.

Source: "Remedium".