The contribution of single-cell omics technologies to improve knowledge on human early embryo development

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Reproductive medicine
• Genomics

Background:

• Early human embryo development is crucial for reproductive success but faces research limitations.
• Single-cell omics technologies provide unprecedented resolution for studying cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review major discoveries in human early embryo development using single-cell omics.
• To provide a chronological overview of embryonic development from fertilization to gastrulation.

Main Methods:

• Review of single-cell transcriptomics, epigenomics, and proteomics studies.
• Chronological analysis of embryonic development stages.

Main Results:

• Detailed delineation of blastomere contributions and embryonic genome activation.
• Sequential specification of trophectoderm, epiblast, and hypoblast lineages.
• Insights into aneuploidy effects, trophectoderm maturation, and X chromosome regulation.

Conclusions:

• Single-cell omics significantly advances understanding of human early embryogenesis.
• These findings have implications for improving medically assisted reproduction and diagnosing developmental abnormalities.