Catching the Tube

Human embryos still hold many secrets – details that are too fragile to investigate without risking damage or ethical dilemmas. Here we see pioneering techniques coming together for a fresh approach – CRISPR interference targets and blocks specific genes from 'switching on' inside organoids, lab-grown tissues that model living tissues. These particular organoids mimic cells attempting to move together to close the neural tube, the developing structure destined to become the spine, brain and nervous system. But here CRISPR’s interference with specific genes (each row) disrupts the cells’ patterning, or morphogenesis. This powerful combination of techniques reveals specific coordinating proteins called transcription factors that are essential to healthy morphogenesis. Similar approaches could be used in different contexts to ask questions that previously seemed impossible to answer.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image from work by Roya E Huang and Giridhar M Anand, and colleagues
• Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
• Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
• Published in eLife (reviewed preprint), September 2025