Research shows how the curved shape of a zebrafish egg sets cell division timing, gene activation, and early cell fate ...

Life begins with a single fertilized cell that gradually transforms into a multicellular organism. This process requires ...

A new "atlas" of early embryonic development in mammals suggests that the process is highly chaotic — but there is some method to the madness. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn ...

Despite being an essential developmental process, the understanding of human embryonic genome activation is limited, owing to the lack of in vitro cell models and ethical concerns. To advance ...

The mystery of early embryonic communication is starting to be unraveled thanks to a new stem cell-based model.

From the moment an embryo starts to take shape, two-way communication is critical for making sure tissues and organs develop correctly.

Researchers have uncovered how egg cells prepare for the creation of life. Their work reveals the secrets of the Balbiani body (Bb), a remarkable structure that organizes essential molecules to guide ...

A new discovery by researchers challenges our current understanding of gastrulation, the most important stage of early embryonic development. When the zygote, or the fertilised egg, starts to develop, ...

Researchers have used naïve pluripotent stem cells to create an embryo model that looks and acts like a natural human embryo. They say it’s an ethical way of gaining a better understanding of ...

The majority of fertilized eggs die and are resorbed into the body. ZEISS Microscopy/Flickr, CC BY-SA As an evolutionary biologist whose career has focused on how embryos develop in a wide variety of ...