Scientists at the University of Cambridge have created “hematoids,” lab-grown embryo-like structures capable of producing human blood stem cells. This pioneering development could advance research into blood disorders such as leukemia and pave the way for generating stem cells for long-term transplants.
Scientists have created “hematoids,” lab-grown embryo-like structures capable of producing human blood stem cells.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a new method to produce human blood cells in the lab that closely mimics their natural formation in embryos. This breakthrough could help scientists model blood disorders such as leukemia and generate long-lasting stem cells for transplants.
The team used human stem cells to create three-dimensional, embryo-like structures that replicate early stages of human development, including the formation of blood stem cells. These hematopoietic stem cells are the body’s foundation for all types of blood cells, from oxygen-carrying red cells to immune-boosting white cells.
The Cambridge scientists have named these structures “hematoids.” These self-organizing clusters begin producing blood around two weeks in the lab, mirroring the process seen in human embryos. While hematoids cannot develop into full embryos due to the absence of tissues such as the yolk sac and placenta, their ability to generate blood provides a valuable window into early human development.
