Abstract
In this sixth and final lecture, we look at the current possibilities for producing different types of embryos or embryonic structures from stem cell cultures, i.e. from somatic (diploid) cells. We also explore the possibilities that these pseudo-embryos may offer in terms of basic research and biomedical approaches. Will we ever be able to produce embryos using only cell cultures ? Different types of pseudo-embryos are discussed, corresponding to different stages of development and different embryonic structures :
- in vitro embryo production ;
- early development ;
- embryonic stem cells, trophoblast ;
- blastoids, trophectoderm induction ;
- eTS and ETX embryos, presence of mesoderm ;
- gastruloids and body elongation in vitro.
