A 3D system to model human pancreas development and its reference single-cell transcriptome atlas identify signaling pathways required for progenitor expansion

Abstract Human organogenesis remains relatively unexplored for ethical and practical reasons. Here, we report the establishment of a single-cell transcriptome atlas human fetal pancreas between 7 10 post-conceptional weeks development. To interrogate cell–cell interactions, describe InterCom, an R-Package developed identifying receptor–ligand pairs their downstream effects. We further culture system starting from tissue or pluripotent stem cells, enabling long-term maintenance progenitors in minimal, defined medium three-dimensions. Benchmarking cells produced 2-dimensions those expanded 3-dimensions to identifies that are transcriptionally closer pancreas. demonstrate potential this as screening platform identify importance EGF FGF pathways controlling progenitor expansion.