In recent years, significant progress has been made in the production and culture of mammalian embryos ex utero, in in vitro culture systems. In particular, it is now possible to obtain early embryos exclusively from stem cell cultures (i.e. without prior fertilization), and to maintain embryos in culture for considerable periods of time. It is also possible to produce pseudo-embryos containing a variety of tissues, making it possible to carry out studies that are difficult to perform with authentic embryos, particularly in humans. This symposium will take stock of these recent developments and the possibilities offered by these new avenues of study, both in basic research and in understanding pathologies linked to the early stages of development.
Conference in English.