Yike Yin

Abstract The ectomesenchyme generates much of the craniofacial skeleton, sutures, and diverse connective tissues in the mammalian head, yet its derivation from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the underlying molecular drivers remain poorly defined. Here, we identified Dlx2 as a key regulator that efficiently directed murine ESCs toward Msx1+ ectomesenchyme, recapitulating the developmental trajectory.

Abstract Endochondral ossification generates most of the load-bearing bones, recapitulating it in human cells remains a challenge. Here, we report generation of SOX9+ sclerotomal progenitors (scl-progenitors), a mesenchymal precursor at the pre-condensation stage, from human pluripotent stem cells and development of osteochondral induction methods for these cells.

Abstract Sperm-induced Ca2+ rise is critical for driving oocyte activation and subsequent embryonic development, but little is known about how lasting Ca2+ oscillations are regulated. Here it is shown that NLRP14, a maternal effect factor, is essential for keeping Ca2+ oscillations and early embryonic development. Few embryos lacking maternal NLRP14 can develop beyond the 2-cell stage.