The Versatility of Eggs in Biomedical Research From Developmental Biology to Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Beyond

This book presents an in-depth exploration of the egg’s journey from a humble food source to a vital tool in modern biomedical science. It reveals how fertilized chicken eggs serve as naturally sterile, self-contained, and cost-effective systems for drug development, vaccine production, tissue engineering, and disease modeling, embodying the idea of being “simple in form, yet extraordinary in potential.”Rooted in centuries of scientific use, eggs have gained renewed attention amid the growing need for sustainable and ethical research models. Positioned at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, this book connects the evolving role of eggs to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating their contribution to humane and eco-conscious scientific advancement. Structured into six chapters, it traces the historical timeline, anatomy, and physiology of eggs before delving into in ovo and ex ovo technologies, egg yolk antibodies, exosomes, and embryonic applications in cancer, tissue, and pharmacological research. It concludes with future perspectives, detailed protocols, and ethical considerations. Written for scientists, students, veterinarians, and research enthusiasts, this comprehensive review bridges biology, biotechnology, and sustainability, serving as an essential reference and educational resource in contemporary biomedical innovation.