Scientists have created synthetic mouse embryos with developed brains

According to the researchers, the findings could help scientists learn more about how human embryos develop and provide insights into diseases, as well as providing an alternative to animals for testing.

The new model embryos were created in the lab with natural mouse embryo. The same stages of development can be seen up to eight and a half days after fertilization.

Leonardo Beccari was not involved in the research but he thinks it is a major advancement.

Understanding how mouse stem cells interact at this point in development could provide valuable insight into why human pregnancies fail during the earliest stages.

The first demonstration of the forebrain in a model of embryo development has been a holy grail for the field.

Stem cells can be used to make muscles, brain, or blood cells. Three types of cells from mice were used to create the synthetic embryo.

The realistic-looking mouse embryos were kept in a mechanical womb for several days until they developed beating hearts, flowing blood, and cranial folds. The new study was co-authored by Hannah.

By mimicking the natural processes of how a mouse embryo would form inside a uterus, the researchers were able to guide the cells into interacting with each other, causing them to self-organize into structures that progressed through development to the point where they had beating hearts and foundations for the entire brain.