Source: RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology
Date: April 7, 2011
Summary:
New research from the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology shows how mouse stem cells spontaneously form into optic cups, the precursors of eyes. The research sheds light on the embryonic development of complex tissues. A breakthrough report describes how mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are able to differentiate and assemble into an optic cup, capable of giving rise to a tissue exhibiting the stratified structure characteristic of the retina in vivo. Published in Nature, the study used a cutting-edge three-dimensional tissue culture system not only to demonstrate this self-organizing capacity of pluripotent stem cells, but the underlying cell dynamics as well.
