Scientists have successfully grown embryo-like structures in the lab that produced human blood cells — a milestone that could transform regenerative medicine.
The research, led by Dr Jitesh Neupane at the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute, used human stem cells to recreate some of the earliest stages of human development without using sperm or eggs. Remarkably, the lab-grown models began forming heart cells and, by day 13, produced visible patches of red blood.
“It was an exciting moment when the blood-red colour appeared in the dish – it was visible even to the naked eye,” said Neupane. The team hopes the work will shed light on how blood and heart cells form naturally, offering insights into conditions such as leukaemia and heart disease.
Unlike existing techniques for generating blood stem cells, this method mimics natural embryonic development rather than relying on added proteins. Because the stem cells can be created from a patient’s own tissue, the discovery could eventually allow doctors to produce fully compatible blood for bone marrow transplants.
Professor Azim Surani, senior author of the study, called the findings “a significant step toward future regenerative therapies,” adding that using patients’ own cells to repair tissues “is no longer a distant prospect.”
The models were designed to prevent the formation of brain or placental tissue, meaning they could not develop into a foetus. Still, by simulating the critical third and fourth weeks of early pregnancy, they are helping scientists understand how human life first takes shape — and how to harness that process to heal.
