title: Self-Organization of Spatial Patterning in Human Embryonic Stem Cells.
abstract: The developing embryo is a remarkable example of self-organization, where functional units are created in a complex spatiotemporal choreography. Recently, human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been used to recapitulate in vitro the self-organization programs that are executed in the embryo in vivo. This represents an unique opportunity to address self-organization in humans that is otherwise not addressable with current technologies. In this chapter, we review the recent literature on self-organization of human ESCs, with a particular focus on two examples: formation of embryonic germ layers and neural rosettes. Intriguingly, both activation and elimination of TGFβ signaling can initiate self-organization, albeit with different molecular underpinnings. We discuss the mechanisms underlying the formation of these structures in vitro and explore future challenges in the field.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deglincerti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Etoc
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: M Zeeshan
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Ozair
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, USA. Electronic address: brvnlou@rockefeller.edu.
authors.forename: Ali H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Brivanlou
mesh_terms: D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C525809:BMP4 protein, human; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
keywords: Germ layers; Human embryonic stem cells; Micropatterns; Rosettes; Self-organization