Mechanics of human embryo compaction. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38693259/)

These scientists wanted to understand how human embryos grow and develop. They found that during a stage called compaction, cells in the embryo come close together. They used a tiny tool called a micropipette to measure the forces on the surface of the cells. They discovered that there is a lot of tension at the outer surface of the cells, which helps the embryo to shape and grow. They compared this process in human embryos to that in mouse embryos and found some similarities but also some differences. They also found that the ability of cells to contract and stick together is important for the embryo to develop properly. By studying embryos that were not growing correctly, they learned that problems with cell contraction can cause issues with development. Overall, their study showed that cells in human embryos need to be able to contract properly in order for the embryo to grow and take shape.

Firmin J., Ecker N., Rivet Danon D., Ozguc O., Barraud Lange V., Turlier H., Patrat C., Maitre JL. Mechanics of human embryo compaction. Nature. 2024 May;629(8012):646-651. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07351-x. Epub 2024 May 1.