Embryonic stem cells articles from across Nature Portfolio

Gene-editing at the DM1 mutant locus revealed a fundamental difference between undifferentiated and differentiated cell states: abnormal epigenetic modifications cannot be repaired after differentiation.

Specification of neuroectoderm from TET3 enzymatic deficient and knockout embryonic stem cells reveals distinct catalytic-dependent and -independent roles of TET3 in activation of neural and suppression of mesodermal programs, respectively.

Human pluripotent stem cells have been shown to be important models for interrogating the molecular basis for heart disease. This review highlights the contributions of these models to our understanding of inherited arrhythmia syndromes, with a focus on integrating mechanistic and genome-wide association study data.

The protocol presents for an optimized culture system for deriving porcine expanded potential stem cells from preimplantation embryos and reprogrammed somatic cells, and for validation and characterization.

Stem cell quiescence is generally considered as an inactive state with poised potential. Here, Khoa et al. find that quiescent embryonic stem cells actively maintain a dynamic reservoir of cells with unrestricted cell fate that converges on S-adenosylmethionine and H3K27me3 status.

Totipotency is the absence of any developmental restriction, a feature naturally found in the early embryo right after fertilization. Generating an in vitro totipotent stem cell model is not a trivial task. For this reason, a set of stringent criteria for the identification of bona fide totipotent stem cells have been proposed.

Murine blastocysts and embryonic stem cells mimicking the pre-implantation epiblast import extracellular protein through macropinocytosis and engage a robust lysosomal digestive programme to meet their nutrient demands. We found that as development proceeds, post-implantation epiblast-like cells downregulate protein digestion, increase expression of amino acid transporters and become dependent on soluble amino acids.

The creation of multiple stem-cell-derived models of mammalian embryogenesis is opening many new doors to study human development and brings a need for scientists to demonstrate responsible dialog over the associated ethical issues.

Human embryology is flourishing thanks to an impetus provided by embryo models formed from stem cells. These scientific advances require meticulous experimental work and a refined ethical framework, but also sensible public communication. Securing public support is essential to achieve societal impact.

Embryonic diapause in development and paused pluripotency in embryonic stem cells result in a state of hypotranscription through mechanisms that remain unclear. A new study dissects the role of METTL3-deposited global m⁶A RNA methylation in mediating this transcriptional dormancy.

A bioengineering and machine learning-guided approach models human axial development and somitogenesis in vitro.