Recapitulating early human development

The human embryo begins as a simple, two-dimensional sheet of cells, with each cell possessing the ability to give rise to any cell type in the body. As development progresses, this sheet repeatedly tears, folds, and elongates to form the complex structures that define the human body. These dramatic changes in shape are driven by a coordinated series of symmetry-breaking events, during which individual cells commit to distinct fates.

We explore whether it is possible to experimentally control the sequence of spatially coordinated symmetry-breaking events in sheets of cells to generate tissues with complex geometries. Remarkably, we find that correctly coupling the symmetry breaking across sheets, leads to the robust formation of structures that closely resemble tissues found in the early human embryo.  Adhering to the strict ethical guidelines that have consequently been imposed on us, we use these lab-generated tissues to gain insights into human development. As an example, I will describe our discovery that mechanical forces play a critical role in generating an early and important human-specific lineage in the brain.

This talk is designed to be accessible to those without prior knowledge of developmental biology.

Speaker: Sharad Ramanathan, Stanford University