The present disclosure relates to a method using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to reconstitute axis development
in vitro, and to a method for producing the same. The present disclosure provides three-dimensional
cell aggregates called "axioloids" that are generated
in vitro from pluripotent stem cells and are composed of mesodermal cells polarized along the anterior-posterior and apical-basolateral axes. The
cell aggregates can reconstitute various aspects of somitogenesis and axis development, including
axial elongation, segmentation, epithelial somitogenesis and patterning (the formation of one or more somite-like structures), and oscillation of the segmentation
clock under somitogenic culture conditions. The axioloids can also be used to induce various
cell lineages and functional cells, and can be used as a platform for modeling and reconstituting human embryonic development,
disease, and evolution. The axioloids can be further utilized for, among other things, teratogenic and toxicological evaluation of chemicals, production and testing of
cell therapy products, research of congenital and acquired human diseases, and evaluation of ongoing and future therapeutic approaches.