Embryoids, Organoids and Gastruloids: New Approaches to Understanding Embryogenesis

Overview

Journal Development

Specialty Biology

Date 2017 Mar 16

PMID 28292844

Citations 88

Authors

Mijo Simunovic

Ali H Brivanlou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cells have an intrinsic ability to self-assemble and self-organize into complex and functional tissues and organs. By taking advantage of this ability, embryoids, organoids and gastruloids have recently been generated , providing a unique opportunity to explore complex embryological events in a detailed and highly quantitative manner. Here, we examine how such approaches are being used to answer fundamental questions in embryology, such as how cells self-organize and assemble, how the embryo breaks symmetry, and what controls timing and size in development. We also highlight how further improvements to these exciting technologies, based on the development of quantitative platforms to precisely follow and measure subcellular and molecular events, are paving the way for a more complete understanding of the complex events that help build the human embryo.

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