scRNA-seq analysis of in vitro cultured monkey embryos. scRNA-seq analysis of in vitro cultured monkey embryos

Primates embryo implants into the maternal uterus, forms three germ layers and begin early organogenesis, such as neurulation, heart formation, during the first 4 weeks of development. Although, this stage represents a milestone in early embryonic development of primate, our understanding remains limited. Here, we optimized our previously established in vitro culture system, which enable the ex-utero culture of cynomolgus monkey up to 25 days. Morphology histological, and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses confirm that the in vitro cultured embryos recapitulate key events of in vivo development. Using this platform, we delineate monkey early-stage lineage trajectory and genetic programs accompanying the neural, mesoderm and endoderm specification, as well as primordial germ cell–like cell (PGCLC). Thus, this culture system represents a valuable and easily accessible platform to study and manipulate early primate embryogenesis, which cannot easily accomplish in vivo. Overall design: single cell RNA sequencing of in vitro cultured monkey embryos were performed using 10x Genomics Chromium