For the first time, extraordinary time-lapse footage has captured the moment a heart begins to form in mouse embryos. This groundbreaking research highlights how cardiac cells organize themselves into heart-like structures early in development. Scientists utilized advanced light-sheet microscopy to observe the embryos over extended periods, documenting significant processes such as gastrulation and the emergence of cardiomyocytes. With nearly 1 in 100 babies affected by congenital heart defects, these insights could enhance our understanding of these conditions and their early developmental roots.
The footage of developing embryos was captured using advanced light-sheet microscopy, allowing scientists to observe the formation of heart cells in unprecedented detail.
We found that early during gastrulation, cells contributing solely to the heart emerged rapidly and behaved in highly organised ways, setting the stage for heart formation.
This work provides new insights into congenital heart defects, as nearly 1 in 100 babies is affected by these issues during early development.
This is the first time we've been able to closely observe heart cells during mammalian development, revealing unexpected behaviors and organization.
#heart-development #congenital-heart-defects #time-lapse-microscopy #mouse-embryo #biomedical-research
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