Unveiling the Journey of Yolk Sac Blood Emergence through Human Development Modeling
Researchers have developed a genetically inducible stem cell-derived embryoid model that mimics early post-implantation human embryogenesis. This model captures the co-development of embryonic tissue and extra-embryonic endoderm and mesoderm niche, as well as the emergence of hematopoiesis. The embryoids exhibit self-organizing cellular programs similar to those seen in embryogenesis, including the formation of amniotic cavity and bilaminar disc morphologies. The extra-embryonic layer in these embryoids undergoes yolk sac tissue-like morphogenesis and shows distinct waves of hematopoiesis. This model provides a scalable platform for studying human development and blood formation, and can be used for drug testing and disease modeling.