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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development
Published on: January 26, 2013
Towards understanding the roles of position and geometry on cell fate decisions during preimplantation development
John S Biggins1, Christophe Royer2, Tomoko Watanabe2
1Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
The first lineage segregation event in mouse embryos produces two separate cell populations: inner cell mass and trophectoderm. This is understood to be brought about by cells sensing their position within the embryo and differentiating accordingly. The cellular and molecular underpinnings of this process remain under investigation and have variously been considered to be completely stochastic or alternately, subject to some predisposition set up at fertilisation or before. Here, we consider these views in light of recent publications, discuss the possible role of cell geometry and mechanical forces in this process and describe how modelling could contribute in addressing this issue.
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