Gastruloid patterning reflects division of labor among biased stem cell clones.

ABSTRACT: Embryonic development typically requires precise coordination among cells to achieve reproducible outcomes, leading to the assumption that cellular heterogeneity must be minimized or buffered against. Using fluorescence-based lineage tracing in combination with spatial transcriptomics, we show that, in the gastruloid model of early development, pre-existing heterogeneity promotes proper axial organization through division of labor among stem cell clones. Individual clones isolated from a common population exhibit consistent spatial propensities for anterior or posterior fates. While pure clones generate elongated structures less frequently than a polyclonal population, mixing clones restores proper axial elongation. Spatial transcriptomics reveals that pure clones show disrupted gene expre

SUBMITTER: Ayyappan V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12338665 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature