World-first breakthrough sees human embryos grow from skin cells

World-first breakthrough sees human embryos grow from skin cells – which will help scientists detect miscarriages earlier and treat infertility

  • A model of a human embryo has been created out of reprogrammed skin cells
  • The discovery is billed to fast-track research on early miscarriages and IVF
  • The team was led by researchers at Melbourne’s Monash University
  • Studies of early human development are usually done with old IVF embryos

An Australian-led team of scientists has reprogrammed skin cells to create a human embryo model in a discovery billed to fast-track research on early miscarriages and IVF.

The team, led by researchers at Melbourne‘s Monash University, reprogrammed skin cells into a 3D cellular structure similar to human blastocysts.

The structure, known as iBlastoids, can be used to model the biology of early human embryos in lab settings.

Previously, studies of early human development and infertility were restricted by having to source scarcely available blastocysts obtained from IVF procedures.

The team, led by researchers at Melbourne’s Monash University, reprogrammed skin cells into a 3D cellular structure similar to human blastocysts

‘iBlastoids will allow scientists to study the very early steps in human development and some of the causes of infertility, congenital diseases and the impact of toxins and viruses on early embryos,’ Monash University Professor Jose Polo said.

It would accelerate the understanding and the development of new therapies, he said.

The new research, published in UK scientific journal Nature on Wednesday, details how scientists used ‘nuclear reprogramming’ to generate iBlastoids.

The technique involves placing human skin cells on a ‘3D jelly’ scaffold, reorganising them into blastocyst-like structures.

iBlastoids are not completely identical to a blastocyst and have limited ability to develop beyond the first few days.

Prof Polo said they will provide a model system to study the early stages of pregnancy, with some women unaware of conception before the embryo fails to implant or progress

Prof Polo said they will provide a model system to study the early stages of pregnancy, with some women unaware of conception before the embryo fails to implant or progress

Prof Polo said they will provide a model system to study the early stages of pregnancy, with some women unaware of conception before the embryo fails to implant or progress.

In addition, Professor Ross Coppel said the discovery will allow the development of improved IVF methods, embryo gene therapy protocols and screening methods for new drugs.

‘With further research and the right resources, this discovery could open up entirely new industries for Australia and internationally,’ said Prof Coppel, deputy dean of Monash University’s medicine research faculty.