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Updated: Sep 12, 2025
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Protocol for Human Blastoids Modeling Blastocyst Development and Implantation
Published on: August 10, 2022
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Use of miR-200-Mediated Reprogramming and Mechanical Cues to Generate Human Blastocyst Models
Sharon Arcuri1,2, Georgia Pennarossa2, Fulvio Gandolfi3
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 5, 2025
Summary
Scientists developed a new method to create 3D blastoids, or artificial embryos, using cell reprogramming and mechanical stimuli. These blastoids mimic natural embryos, aiding research in early development and reproductive technologies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Assisted Reproduction Technologies
Background:
- Studying early embryogenesis is limited by ethical and technical constraints of natural embryos.
- Development of in vitro blastocyst-like models is crucial for overcoming these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel protocol for generating 3D blastoids phenotypically similar to natural embryos.
- To utilize miR-200-mediated reprogramming and mechanical stimuli for blastoid creation.
Main Methods:
- Dermal fibroblasts were reprogrammed using the miR-200 family to achieve a plastic cell state.
- Reprogrammed cells were differentiated into trophoblast (TR)-like cells or encapsulated into polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micro-bioreactors to form inner cell mass (ICM)-like spheroids.
- TR-like cells and ICM-like spheroids were co-cultured in micro-bioreactors and subsequently transferred to microwells for further development.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated 3D artificial blastoids exhibiting phenotypic similarity to natural embryos.
- The protocol combines cell reprogramming with mechanical stimuli to guide blastoid formation.
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D artificial blastoids offer a valuable model for studying early embryogenesis.
- This model can advance research in assisted reproduction technologies and the understanding of embryo disorders.
