How do we study how embryos grow

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After a sperm meets an egg, an amazing transformation unfolds. The embryo, initially just a small clump of cells, begins to take shape as cells specialise to form a body. Through careful coordination and a precise sequence of decisions, the embryo develops all the cells and tissues needed to support life.

Naomi Moris's Developmental Models Lab at the Francis Crick Institute seeks to better understand these decisions, particularly in a human context where access to samples is scarce and the medical need is great (for example, to understand congenital abnormalities). To further our understanding, her lab uses stem cells to build a range of developmental models.

Here, you can listen as Naomi Moris discusses how embryo models might help us unlock new insights but also raise their own ethical dilemmas for the future.

We would like to make you aware that this talk includes sensitive images regarding paediatric care at the following timestamps:

• 33:44-34:17
• 35:27-35:48

About Naomi Moris

Dr. Naomi Moris is a Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute, where she leads the Developmental Models Laboratory. Her work combines experimental embryology with stem cell biology to dissect how dynamic, tissue-tissue interactions drive cell fate decisions and morphogenesis. In addition to her core research, Naomi actively contributes to scientific policy and ethical discourse around embryo model systems and is involved in national and international efforts to shape the regulatory landscape for this emerging field.

About our crash courses

Crick Crash Courses started life as talks for our staff, to help everyone working here, scientists and non-scientists, better understand the Crick's discovery research into how life works.

We're now opening our doors to our crash course talks, giving everyone, everywhere, the opportunity to hear directly from our scientists as they investigate some of the most complex challenges in human health.