Credit: Julie Firmin et Jean-Léon MaîtreA breakthrough research study by the Institut Curie exposes that embryonic cell compaction in humans is caused by cell contraction, using brand-new insights to boost assisted reproductive innovation success rates.In human advancement, the compaction of embryonic cells is an important procedure in the early phases of an embryos development. Credit: Julie Firmin et Jean-Léon MaîtreBy enhancing our understanding of the early stages of human embryonic development, the research study team hopes to contribute to the improvement of ART as nearly one-third of inseminations are unsuccessful today.The results were obtained by mapping cell surface area stress in human embryonic cells. The scientists also tested the impacts of preventing contractility and cell adhesion and evaluated the mechanical signature of embryonic cells with defective contractility.Reference: “Mechanics of human embryo compaction” by Julie Firmin, Nicolas Ecker, Diane Rivet Danon, Özge Özgüç, Virginie Barraud Lange, Hervé Turlier, Catherine Patrat and Jean-Léon Maître, 31 April 2024, Nature.DOI: 10.1038/ s41586-024-07351-x.