SEMINAR ; Dr Harunobu KAGAWA - Blastoids and Beyond: Investigating Human Blastocyst Development and AVE Differentiation

During my research journey, I have dedicated myself to understanding the peri-implantation stages of human development. During my postdoctoral studies, I developed a stem cell-based blastocyst model, the "blastoid," which replicates critical aspects of blastocyst development and has opened new avenues for studying implantation and trophectoderm maturation. This work has not only advanced our knowledge of human reproductive biology but also holds promise for improving IVF outcomes by revealing key developmental mechanisms.
In my current role, I am expanding this research to explore anterior-posterior axis formation, focusing on the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE) as a model for symmetry breaking. Using both 2D and 3D stem cell-based models, I aim to uncover the unique spatial regulation processes that define human embryonic patterning. Through this seminar, I look forward to sharing these insights and receiving feedback to help shape the future directions of this research.