Somatic Reprogramming to Human Induced Trophoblast Stem Cells and Induced Blastoids

This thesis focuses on a cellular conversion process known as reprogramming, in which one adult cell type such as skin cell, can be reverted to a fetal-like state via a cell fate modulator known as transcription factor. By understanding this cellular conversion process, this thesis develops a novel strategy of converting human skin cell into placental stem cells as well as a lab-based model of the blastocyst. These two novel models generated could be a valuable tool to assist understanding of human embryonic development and developmental diseases.