GoKawiilSingle-cell proteomics reveals protein differences behind embryo cell fate
Researchers led by Nikolai Slavov, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz and Tsui-Fen Chou used single-cell proteomics to analyze the two earliest daughter cells formed after a fertilized mammalian egg divides. They found that these 'alpha' and 'beta' cells already carry distinct protein profiles linked to different developmental fates, with beta cells more often producing viable embryos while alpha cells tend to form supporting extra-embryonic tissue. The team traced these differing identities back to the moment of fertilization.