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Highly efficient construction of monkey blastoid capsules from aged somatic cells

Author

Listed:
  • Junmo Wu

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Tianao Shao

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Zengli Tang

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research
    Southwest United Graduate School)

  • Gaojing Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhuoyao Li

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Yuxi Shi

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Yu Kang

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Jiawei Zuo

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research
    Southwest United Graduate School)

  • Bo Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guangyu Hu

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Jiaqi Liu

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Weizhi Ji

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Lei Zhang

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research)

  • Yuyu Niu

    (Kunming University of Science and Technology
    Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research
    Southwest United Graduate School)

Abstract

Blastoids—blastocyst-like structures created in vitro—emerge as a valuable model for early embryonic development research. Non-human primates stem cell-derived blastoids are an ethically viable alternative to human counterparts, yet the low formation efficiency of monkey blastoid cavities, typically below 30%, has limited their utility. Prior research has predominantly utilized embryonic stem cells. In this work, we demonstrate the efficient generation of blastoids from induced pluripotent stem cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells derived from aged monkeys, achieving an 80% formation efficiency. We also introduce a hydrogel-based microfluidics platform for the scalable and reproducible production of size-adjustable, biodegradable blastoid capsules, providing a stable 3D structure and mechanical protection. This advancement in the high-efficiency, scalable production of monkey blastoid capsules from reprogrammed aged somatic cells significantly enhances the study of embryonic development and holds promise for regenerative medicine.

Suggested Citation

  • Junmo Wu & Tianao Shao & Zengli Tang & Gaojing Liu & Zhuoyao Li & Yuxi Shi & Yu Kang & Jiawei Zuo & Bo Zhao & Guangyu Hu & Jiaqi Liu & Weizhi Ji & Lei Zhang & Yuyu Niu, 2025. "Highly efficient construction of monkey blastoid capsules from aged somatic cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56447-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56447-z
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