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organoids

·December 19, 2024·4 min read

Notochord Guides Neural and Spinal Formation

Scientists have developed human stem cell models containing the notochord, a critical tissue that guides spine and nervous system formation during embryonic development. Using precise chemical signals inspired by natural processes in chicken, mouse, and monkey embryos, the researchers successfully coaxed human stem cells to form a notochord and a miniature trunk-like structure. This innovation mirrors key features of human development and could advance the study of spine-related birth defects and conditions like intervertebral disc degeneration.

Featured Neuroethics Neuroscience

·June 20, 2024·4 min read

Organoids and Embryo Models: Redefining Human Individuality?

Advances in organoids and embryonic models raise questions about human individuality. A new study argues these models can reinforce, not weaken, the concept of human individuality when viewed through personhood and sentience frameworks. Researchers emphasize that current technologies are far from achieving personhood in embryo models or organoids. The ethical focus should remain on the wellbeing of actual persons and sentient beings.

This shows a female scientist looking in a microscope

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 22, 2021·4 min read

‘Mini Brain’ Organoids Grown in Lab Mature Much Like Infant Brains

Brain organoids, or mini-brains, created from human stem cells appear to develop in much the same way as a human brain. The organoids follow an internal clock that guides their maturation in sync with the timeline for human brain development.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 7, 2021·3 min read

Peeking Inside ‘Mini-Brains’ Could Boost Understanding of the Human Brain

Study reveals the detailed internal anatomy of mini-brains for the first time.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 8, 2020·6 min read

‘SCOUT’ Helps Researchers Find, Quantify Significant Differences Among Organoids

SCOUT is a newly developed pipeline for clearing, labeling, 3D imaging, and analyzing cerebral organoids.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 18, 2020·5 min read

Using “organs-on-a-chip” to model complicated diseases

Organ-on-a-chip models reveal how different tissue contribute to inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

This shows cells from a cerebral organoid

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·January 30, 2020·6 min read

Not ‘brains in a dish’: Cerebral organoids flunk comparison to developing nervous system

Hailed by many as a breakthrough for neuroscience research, a new study reports brain-in-a-dish models may not be as useful as reported previously. The study reports instead of differentiating normally into the brain's distinctive cell types, cerebral organoids often express mixed genes normally found in different kinds of cells.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 29, 2019·6 min read

Machine learning algorithm can’t distinguish these lab mini-brains from preemie babies

Machine learning is unable to tell the difference in brain activity between a lab-grown mini-brain and that of a preterm infant who has reached full-term.

This shows two head outlines with drawings of brains in them

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·July 6, 2019·4 min read

To cure brain diseases, neuroscientists must collaborate: That’s why I’m giving my data away

Open sharing of scientific data and standard methods will allow researchers to collaborate on projects and accelerate understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

This shows the BBB created on the organ-chip

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 6, 2019·4 min read

Scientists recreate blood-brain barrier defect outside the body

Using induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with neurodegenerative disorders, researcher recreated the blood-brain barrier inside Organ-Chips.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 22, 2019·2 min read

Researchers Create Organoid of a Brain Region to Study Cognitive Disorders

Researchers have created an organoid of the thalamus, which they have fused with an organoid of the frontal cortex in order to study ASD, depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Visual Neuroscience

·October 14, 2018·6 min read

Dish Grown Human Retinas Explain How Color Vision Develops

Using human retinal tissue grown from stem cells, researchers shed light on how color vision develops. The study found thyroid hormones dictated whether the cells became blue, green or red photoreceptors.