Modeling mammalian gastrulation with embryonic stem cells

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in using embryonic stem cell-based models to study mammalian gastrulation, providing insights into cell fate patterning and morphogenesis through 2D and 3D culture systems.

Contribution

It summarizes new in vitro models that mimic mammalian gastrulation, highlighting their role in understanding embryonic development.

Findings

Development of 2D and 3D ESC culture models

Insights into cell fate patterning mechanisms

Quantitative analysis of morphogenetic processes

Abstract

Understanding cell fate patterning and morphogenesis in the mammalian embryo remains a formidable challenge. Recently, in vivo models based on embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have emerged as complementary methods to quantitatively dissect the physical and molecular processes that shape the embryo. Here we review recent developments in using embryonic stem cells to create both two and three-dimensional culture models that shed light on mammalian gastrulation.