8 Cell Embryo

Using a soft polymer bowl that mimics the mammalian uterus and tissue culture, researchers at the UK’s University of Nottingham have created an artificial womb and used it to grow mouse embryos for up to eight days.  Conventional IVF methods have been able to support embryo growth for four days, but not longer, and between the fourth and eighth days, a blastocyst must attach in the womb and begin anatomical development.  Among other things these researchers hope to discover with this device is gene expression and regulation of mammalian morphogenesis.    MORE

Image Credit:  UK’s University of Nottingham