For the first time, scientists have successfully recorded a human embryo implanting into a womb in real-time. The breakthrough discovery has shed new light on how embryos navigate the uterus and could lead to new treatments for infertility and miscarriages.
Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia in Spain created an artificial womb using a gel-like matrix made of collagen, a protein found in the womb and elsewhere in the body. They placed human embryos, which were left over from infertility treatments, into the womb and recorded time-lapse videos with a microscope.
The videos revealed that human embryos are surprisingly forceful as they burrow into the uterus to find a suitable spot for continued development. The researchers believe this could explain the phenomenon of “implantation cramps” experienced by many pregnant women.
One scientist notes, “The amount of power the embryos exert is quite surprising… It’s beautiful.” Another expert praises the research, saying it “takes a major step towards opening one of the black boxes of human development.”
The study aims to understand how human embryos fail to implant, which is a major cause of infertility and miscarriages. The researchers hope their findings will lead to new treatments for these conditions.
With this breakthrough, scientists have gained a unique insight into the early stages of human life, shedding light on a long-standing mystery.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/08/15/nx-s1-5498787/embryos-small-but-mighty-first-live-videos-show