Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully developed a stem cell-based model capable of producing human blood cells entirely in the lab. The achievement replicates the earliest stages of blood formation during human embryonic development and marks a major step toward new regenerative treatments and disease research.
The team used human stem cells to create three-dimensional, embryo-like structures called hematoids. These self-organizing models begin generating blood after about two weeks under laboratory conditions, mimicking natural development that occurs during the fourth and fifth weeks of pregnancy—stages usually hidden from observation.
While hematoids resemble early embryos in structure, they lack essential elements such as the yolk sac and placenta and cannot develop into full embryos. Nonetheless, they form the three foundational germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—which give rise to tissues and organs, including the circulatory system.
By the second day, researchers observed the formation of the three germ layers. By day eight, beating heart cells appeared, and around day thirteen, red patches became visible, signaling the creation of blood stem cells. These hematopoietic stem cells can evolve into various types of blood cells, including oxygen-carrying red blood cells and immune-supporting white cells.
The Cambridge team demonstrated that these lab-grown stem cells can also produce adaptive immune cells, such as T-cells. This opens a new pathway for studying blood development and diseases like leukemia in controlled laboratory conditions.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on added proteins to stimulate growth, this model allows cells to form naturally within their own biological environment. Researchers say this makes the process more realistic and more suitable for medical applications.
Dr Jitesh Neupane of the Gurdon Institute described the sight of red coloring in the dish as a powerful moment, confirming that blood was forming successfully. He said the model offers unprecedented insight into early blood development and could soon be used for drug testing and disease modeling.
Professor Azim Surani, the senior author of the study, called the work a crucial step toward regenerative therapies that use a patient’s own cells to repair damaged tissue. Co-author Dr Geraldine Jowett noted that the hematoids replicate the second wave of blood formation, responsible for generating key immune cells, offering new potential for cancer and immunotherapy research.
The research followed strict ethical guidelines and was published in the journal Cell Reports. The University of Cambridge has filed a patent through Cambridge Enterprise to support the continued development of this technology.
Scientists believe this innovation could eventually allow for the creation of personalized, long-lasting blood stem cells for transplantation, revolutionizing the field of regenerative medicine.
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