Human Cell Atlas - development atlas extension (360G-Wellcome-221052_Z_20_Z)

We propose to generate an in-depth single cell and spatial atlas of embryos during late organogenesis, at 6/7 post conception weeks (PCW). This project will form a blueprint for a complete HCA development cell atlas, which will ultimately cover all accessible developmental stages week by week. We will leverage genomics technologies to profile single cells from dissociated tissues and within intact tissue sections, and deploy cutting-edge computational methods to reconstruct, in silico, a three-dimensional atlas of the whole human embryo. This work will significantly extend our existing WSSS- funded Development Cell Atlas research programme, which is focused on organ- based profiling. Our reconstruction of a complete human embryo atlas will provide a blueprint for establishing high resolution molecular-based anatomical landmarks during human development, harmonizing developmental knowledge across species, and establishing a foundational resource with significant implications for developmental and childhood disorders, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.