Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Embryo's Yolk Sac

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute have discovered that the seemingly useless yolk sac in human embryos actually plays a crucial role in the development of the immune system. By sequencing RNA strands from human yolk sac cells, the researchers created a detailed atlas of the tissues, revealing that the yolk sac is responsible for producing the first blood cells and contributing to various important early functions. The study also identified significant differences between human yolk sac tissues and those in typical lab models, providing valuable insights into early human development and potential applications in disease research and tissue engineering.