Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz is a Bren Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. Over the past 25 years, the Zernicka-Goetz Lab has pioneered key discoveries in early mammalian development, including the first studies of post-implantation human embryo development in vitro, insights into the origins of cell fate specification in mouse and human embryos, and the creation of the first stem cell-derived embryo models using multiple stem cell types. By uncovering fundamental principles that regulate cell identity, pluripotency, and self-organization, the lab continues to advance our understanding of embryo development with broad implications for fertility, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology.
We aim to understand mechanisms by which cells establish their identity, gain and lose pluripotency and how it relates to embryo shape and size, plasticity and self-organization. To address these questions we study mouse and human embryos and build embryo models from multiple stem cell types in vitro.
Mouse & Human Embryos
Self-Organization of Stem Cells into Embryos in vitro
Developmental Clock
Controlling Size & Shape
Cell Competition
Recently The New York Times featured our lab's work in an essay series about the future of IVF. Journalist Anna Louise Sussman wrote:
"While ethicists debate the 14-day rule, Dr. Zernicka-Goetz’s team and other research groups around the world have been pursuing a parallel research track — embryo models built from stem cells — that would allow scientists to probe the earliest days of human life while sidestepping some of the ethical questions. Building the models also allows scientists to better understand the underlying mechanics of embryo development, compared with simply observing it through a microscope. Supported by nutrients and grown in a dish, the current models can grow for roughly 10 days in ways that variously mimic key aspects of the real thing."
Recent Publications
February 19, 2025
AI-based approach to dissect the variability of mouse stem cell-derived embryo models
Nature Communications
January 17, 2025
Primitive to visceral endoderm maturation is essential for mouse epiblast survival beyond implantation
iScience
September 11, 2024
Assembly of a stem cell-derived human postimplantation embryo model
Nature Protocols
December 18, 2023
Assembly of complete mouse embryo models from embryonic and induced stem cell types in vitro.
Nat Protoc.
September 13, 2022
Stem cell-derived synthetic embryos self-assemble by exploiting cadherin codes and cortical tension
Nature Cell Biology
September 7, 2022
Mouse embryo model derived exclusively from embryonic stem cells undergoes neurulation and heart development
Cell Stem Cell
September 27, 2021
Human embryo polarization requires PLC signaling to mediate trophectoderm specification
eLife
Our lab conducts research at the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology
The Art of the Science
A selection of the images acquired in our lab to demonstrate the beauty of science.
Recent News
The lab joins our friends at diBBE for pastries in the South Chen Gardens!
October 10, 2024
The lab takes a break to hike the nearby Eaton Canyon Falls Trail!
September 15, 2024
Welcoming our newest post-doc, Nina, to the lab and celebrating the double birthday of Laura and Magda!
August 30, 2024
Read The Dance of Life
The Dance of Life will take you inside the incredible world of life just as it begins. It reveals the wonder of the earliest and most profound moments of early life; how we become human. Through Magda’s trailblazing research as a professor at Cambridge, you’ll learn how early life starts to take shape and discover the true beauty of life’s beginnings.