Breaking Boundaries of Life: The Quest to Create a Whole Animal from Stem Cells

Tuesday - May 7 2024, 09:08 UTC - 1 year ago

Researchers at the University of Florida are attempting to create a whole live animal, a bovine, solely from stem cells, challenging our long-held understanding that an egg is necessary for the creation of life. Previous experiments have successfully grown mouse embryo models with beating hearts in a jar, and a recipe for creating bovine blastoids has been published. If successful, this technology could revolutionize cattle breeding and lead to new advancements in biotechnology.

In a groundbreaking experiment at the beef teaching unit in Gainesville, Florida, researchers are attempting to create a live cattle solely from stem cells. The goal is to break the boundaries of life, challenging the long-held notion that an egg is necessary for the creation of a new animal. The experiment, spearheaded by reproductive biologist Zongliang "Carl" Jiang, has the potential to revolutionize cattle breeding and shake our understanding of what life really is.

The idea of using stem cells to create whole animals is not a new one. Around a decade ago, biologists discovered that stem cells, when left alone in a walled plastic container, will spontaneously self-assemble and attempt to form an embryo. These structures, known as "embryo models" or embryoids, have become increasingly realistic over time. In 2022, researchers in Israel successfully grew mouse embryo models in a jar until they displayed cranial folds and a beating heart.

Taking this concept one step further, the team at the University of Florida is attempting to create a live bovine from stem cells, dubbed "cattle blastoids" for their resemblance to blastocysts, the stage of the embryo suitable for IVF procedures. However, the success of this experiment is still uncertain. Synthetic embryos still do not perfectly mimic the real thing; they are like an embryo seen through a fun-house mirror. Therefore, the cattle blastoids are being flushed out after just a week to examine their growth and improve future attempts. As Jiang states, "The stem cells are so smart they know what their fate is, but they also need help." .

Previous research on synthetic embryos has primarily used mouse or human cells and has remained in the lab. However, last year Jiang and researchers in Texas published a recipe for creating bovine blastoids, opening the door for the technique to be used in cattle breeding. Unlike traditional cloning, which requires the use of eggs and can only produce a limited number of clones, synthetic embryos can be created in far larger numbers. In theory, this could mean tens of thousands of cattle with the genetic makeup of the most desirable animal, perfectly designed to turn grass into steak.

The implications of this technology reach far beyond cattle breeding. For start-up company Peace of Meat, it has allowed them to produce lab-grown pork for taste tests at select Belgian retailers. Founder and CEO Carlos Pinzón-Artea envisions this as "cloning 2.0" and sees endless possibilities for the use of synthetic embryos in the future.

The experiment at the University of Florida is still ongoing, but the potential impact of its success is immense. It could change the way we think about the beginning of life and open the door for new advancements in animal breeding and biotechnology.