From genes to geometry: Controlling embryo models by programming genomic activation.

McNamara, Harold M; Sozen, Berna · Cell Stem Cell · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Embryo-like models derived from stem cells have emerged as powerful tools to study early development. In this issue, Lodewijk et al.<sup>1</sup> demonstrate that activating just two enhancers via CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can drive self-organization into structured embryo-like models, offering a genome-driven approach in stem cell and developmental biology.

Medical subject headings