Scientists have successfully grown human embryo-like structures in the lab that produced blood cells — a discovery that could pave the way for new regenerative medicine treatments.
The research team at the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute recreated early stages of human development using stem cells, without the need for eggs or sperm. “It was an exciting moment when the blood-red colour appeared in the dish – it was visible even to the naked eye,” said Dr Jitesh Neupane, lead author of the study.
The lab-grown models replicated the processes that occur in the third and fourth week of pregnancy, forming basic structures such as beating heart cells and blood stem cells. These stem cells later developed into red and white blood cells, mimicking early human blood formation.
Unlike traditional methods, which rely on added growth factors, this self-organising system naturally triggered the creation of different cell types. The advance could one day allow doctors to generate compatible blood or bone marrow cells from a patient’s own tissue, avoiding the risks of rejection.
Senior author Prof Azim Surani called the finding “a significant step towards future regenerative therapies”. He noted that while the system cannot develop into a viable embryo, it provides a powerful new model for studying early human development and diseases such as leukaemia.