We model early embryonic development using mouse totipotent blastomere-like cells (mTBLCs). This system captures key events such as cell fate determination, compaction, and polarization. Single mTBLCs efficiently form blastoids and develop into post-implantation egg cylinder-like structures in vitro and in vivo. This research is published on Cell Stem Cell.

DGCR8 acts as a transcriptional repressor by binding to target nascent RNAs and sequestering FLII. During implantation, ERK-induced FLII phosphorylation enables dissociation of the DGCR8/FLII complex and formation of the FLII/JUN complex, transiently activating cell migration genes to promote morphogenesis and establish poised pluripotency in implanting embryos. This research is published on Molecular Cell.