We have developed a protocol to generate aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells that display self-organization, symmetry breaking and elongation paralleling axial development. This technique allows the study of axial developmental processes and the generation of cell types that are otherwise difficult to perform in monolayer culture.
Baillie-Johnson, P., van den Brink, S. C., Balayo, T., Turner, D. A., Martinez Arias, A. Generation of Aggregates of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells that Show Symmetry Breaking, Polarization and Emergent Collective Behaviour In Vitro. J. Vis. Exp. (105), e53252, doi:10.3791/53252 (2015).