Scientists have successfully grown embryo-like structures from human stem cells that produced blood cells — a landmark step toward developing lab-grown blood for medical use.
The team from the University of Cambridge’s Gurdon Institute says the discovery could one day allow doctors to create bone marrow transplants using a patient’s own cells, eliminating the need for donors and reducing rejection risks.
“It was an exciting moment when the blood-red colour appeared in the dish – it was visible even to the naked eye,” said lead researcher Dr Jitesh Neupane. “This helps us understand how blood naturally forms in the embryo and could lead to new ways to study and treat blood diseases such as leukaemia.”
The researchers used stem cells to mimic the natural stages of human development seen in the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy. Within days, the model began forming beating heart cells and, by day 13, visible blood patches appeared. The lab-grown blood stem cells were also able to transform into red and white blood cells.
Unlike previous methods, which require added growth proteins, this approach lets the cells self-organise — more closely replicating how real embryos form.
Professor Azim Surani, senior author of the study, said the findings mark “a significant step towards regenerative therapies that use a patient’s own cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissues.”
The model lacks placenta and brain-forming tissues, meaning it cannot develop into a fetus — but it provides a powerful tool for exploring the earliest stages of human life and disease.
