Molecular Cell Journal Cover Design Service (DGCR8)

Molecular Cell

25 July 2024

A transient transcriptional activation governs unpolarized-to-polarized morphogenesis during embryo implantation

Xuehui Lyu^1,2,3,9 ,Yingzi Cui^1,3,9 ,Yinfei Kong^2,9 ,Min Yang¹ ,Hui Shen^1,3 ,Shuyun Liao^2,4 ,Shiyu Li^1,2,3 ,Chenrui An^5,6,7 ,Haoyi Wang^5,6,7 ,Zhe Zhang^2,4 ,Jennie Ong^1,2 ,Yan Li⁸ ,Peng Du^1,2,3,10,*

10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.005

The cover portrays three stages of a spawning behavior: before, during, and after spawning, mirroring the pluripotency states in the peri-implantation stage discussed in Lyu et al. in this issue of Molecular Cell: naive (pre-implantation), poised (peri-implantation), and formative (post-implantation). Just as the dragonfly lays its eggs upon touching water, signifying new beginnings, our research reveals a transient mechanism during implantation where new life begins development connected to its mother. The pond in the image, reminiscent of the sea—the cradle of life—resonates with our exploration of life's earliest developmental stages.