Modeling Post-Implantation Mammalian Embryogenesis Using Advanced In Vitro Systems: From Mice to Humans
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: culture systems for mammalian embryos now offer unprecedented windows into this developmental "black box". This review synthesizes how these platforms, alongside stem cell-derived embryo models, are transforming our ability to model early human development in a dish. We detail the technological evolution from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) cultures that support mouse, non-human primate, and human embryos through key stages of implantation and gastrulation, recapitulating events like lineage specification and axial patterning. Furthermore, we explore how these models serve as powerful tools for investigating the etiology of early pregnancy failure, screening for developmental toxicity of pharmaceuticals, and deciphering the molecular pathogenesis of birth defects. By bridging fundamental embryology with clinical and pharmacological applications, these innovative models herald a new era in biomedical research, holding significant promise for advancing reproductive medicine and regenerative strategies.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27020900
Authors: Dongsong Liu, Yiwei Zhang, Tianyao He
Institutions: Inner Mongolia University, Northeast Agricultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Awards: G1946282877, G4679218431
OpenAlex ID: W7124417804
