Lab-Grown Human Embryo Model Yields Functional Blood Cells
Researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute have successfully grown embryo-like structures in the lab capable of producing human blood cells, a breakthrough with notable implications for regenerative medicine. The findings were published in Cell Reports on [Date not explicitly stated, but implied to be around publication date of the link: 2025].
The team, led by Dr. Jitesh Neupane and Prof. Azim Surani, utilized human stem cells - which can be derived from any cell in the body – to create these models, replicating aspects of human development occurring between the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy. Crucially, the models were designed without the tissues necessary to form a placenta or yolk sac, and lacked the potential to develop into a foetus or brain, representing a “minimalistic system” according to Dr. Neupane.
Within two days, the stem cells self-organized into the three primary germ layers – ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm – foundational to body plan development. By day eight, beating heart cells emerged. Though, it was on day 13 that a visually striking development occurred: the appearance of red patches indicating blood cell formation.
Further analysis confirmed the production of functional blood stem cells within the model, capable of differentiating into various blood cell types, including oxygen-carrying red blood cells and immune-system critical white blood cells. Dr. Neupane described the moment the blood appeared as “exciting,” noting its visibility even to the naked eye.
This new method differs from existing laboratory techniques for generating human blood stem cells by mimicking natural developmental processes, relying on self-organizing structures rather than requiring added proteins. Researchers believe this advance could ultimately lead to bone marrow transplant therapies utilizing a patient’s own cells, eliminating compatibility issues.
Prof. Surani emphasized the significance of this work as a “significant step towards future regenerative therapies,” offering potential for screening drugs, studying early blood and immune development, and modeling blood disorders like leukemia.
