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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Generation of Aggregates of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells that Show Symmetry Breaking, Polarization and Emergent Collective Behaviour In Vitro
Published on: November 24, 2015
A human embryo model cracks symmetry breaking
1Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK.
Abstract:
In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Simunovic et al. (2022) establish embryoids by combining embryonic and extraembryonic components derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The embryoids resemble human embryos cultured to post-implantation stages in vitro with regard to morphology, symmetry breaking, and the formation of primitive streak-like cell types.

