Scientists take step towards growing human brains in the laboratory
Researchers have created a 3D tissue model of the human brain in the laboratory – and the living brain cells could offer a new understanding of brain diseases.
Researchers grew the cells on a three-dimensional scaffold made of silk protein and collagen, allowing researchers to create ‘brain-like organoids’.
The researchers believe that the networks built of human induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs could offer new insights into conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Researcher David Kaplan said, ‘We found the right conditions to get the iPSCs to differentiate into a number of different neural subtypes, as well as astrocytes that support the growing neural networks.
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Study author William Cantley said, ‘The growth of neural networks is sustained and very consistent in the 3D tissue models, whether we use cells from healthy individuals or cells from patients with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
‘That gives us a reliable platform to study different disease conditions and the ability to observe what happens to the cells over the long term.’
