image: The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Caltech have received a $2.8 million CIRM Discovery Stage Research grant to investigate key biological factors involved in early human embryo formation. Dr. Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at Caltech, in collaboration with Dr. Zhaohui Wang, Director of Precision Medicine and Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute, and Dr. Changhuei Yang, Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Medical Engineering at Caltech.
Credit: Terasaki Institute
Los Angeles, CA – November 14, 2025 - The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) is pleased to announce its collaboration with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) on a newly awarded $2.8 million Discovery Stage Research (DISC0) grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
The funded project, titled “High-Throughput Discovery of Embryo Formation Factors Using Stem Cell-Based Human Embryo Models,” seeks to uncover the biological and molecular mechanisms that guide early human development. By using stem cell-derived embryo models, the research team aims to identify key factors that influence embryo formation - insights that may contribute to a deeper understanding of infertility, pregnancy loss, and developmental disorders.
Leading the project is Dr. Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at Caltech, in collaboration with Dr. Zhaohui Wang, Director of Precision Medicine and Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute, and Dr. Changhuei Yang, Executive Officer for Electrical Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Medical Engineering at Caltech. Together, their teams will integrate Caltech’s expertise in developmental biology, imaging, and AI/machine learning analytics with the Institute’s strengths in organoid engineering, biomaterials, and high-throughput screening.
“We are honored to collaborate with Dr. Zernicka-Goetz, Dr. Yang, and Caltech on this important study,” said Dr. Wang. “By combining our complementary expertise, we aim to develop stem cell–based tools that advance the understanding of early human development and transition blastoids from a conceptual model to a practical, high-impact platform for both basic and translational research using stem cells.”
“This partnership reflects the Terasaki Institute’s mission to connect scientific discovery with translational innovation,” added Dr. Xiling Shen, Chief Scientific Officer at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. “CIRM’s support allows institutions like ours to move promising research forward and foster collaborations that contribute to the future of human health.”
The CIRM Discovery (DISC0) program funds early-stage, high-potential research that expands the frontiers of regenerative medicine and brings new insights closer to clinical application. This award highlights CIRM’s dedication to advancing collaborative research that benefits patients across California and beyond.
For more information, please contact:
Zhaohui Wang
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
Email: zhaohui.wang@terasaki.org
About the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is a non-profit research organization that invents and fosters practical solutions that restore or enhance the health of individuals. The Institute aims to enhance the quality of human life through translational research and the acceleration of biomedical innovation. TIBI's research focuses on the development of biomaterials, cellular and tissue engineering, medical devices, and microfluidic systems.
About the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) was established by the people of California to accelerate stem cell and gene therapy research that addresses unmet medical needs. Supported by $5.5 billion through Propositions 71 and 14, CIRM advances discoveries from the laboratory to clinical application while building the state’s research infrastructure and training the next generation of scientific innovators.
About the California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned science and engineering institute dedicated to advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges through research and education. Caltech manages NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operates leading research facilities and observatories worldwide, and fosters innovation across disciplines from its 124-acre campus in Pasadena, California.