Thu Sep 26 15:00:01 UTC 2024: ## Scientists Discover Potential “Pause Button” in Early Human Development
**Vienna, Austria** – Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin and the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) in Vienna have made a groundbreaking discovery: human cells may possess a mechanism to temporarily pause development, similar to the “embryonic diapause” observed in some mammals. This finding, published in the journal *Cell*, could revolutionize our understanding of early human life and potentially enhance reproductive technologies.
While the ability to control the timing of development has been a subject of debate for years, this study suggests that a “pause button” exists within human cells. This discovery stems from research using human stem cells and blastoids – ethical alternatives to using embryos in research – where scientists identified that modulation of the mTOR signaling pathway could induce a dormant state akin to diapause.
“The mTOR pathway is a key regulator of growth and development in mouse embryos,” explains Dr. Aydan Bulut-Karslioglu, one of the study’s lead researchers. “By treating human stem cells and blastoids with an mTOR inhibitor, we observed a developmental delay, indicating that human cells can activate the molecular machinery for a diapause-like response.”
This dormant state is characterized by reduced cell division, slower development, and a decreased ability to attach to the uterine lining. Notably, the capacity to enter this state appears to be limited to a specific developmental window around the blastocyst stage, the same stage where diapause occurs in most mammals.
While humans may have lost the ability to naturally enter diapause, the study suggests we retain this potential. This discovery could have significant implications for reproductive medicine. For example, enhancing mTOR activity could accelerate development, improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. Conversely, triggering a dormant state during IVF could provide a longer window to assess embryo health and synchronize it with the mother for better implantation.
“This exciting collaboration highlights how complex biological questions can be tackled by combining expertise,” says Dr. Heidar Heidari Khoei, a postdoctoral fellow involved in the study. “This work not only emphasizes the importance of collaboration in scientific advancement but also opens new possibilities for understanding cellular responses during developmental processes.”
This groundbreaking discovery offers valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms governing our earliest development, potentially paving the way for new approaches to enhancing reproductive health and understanding the complex interplay between cells and their environment.
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