Beijing, February 29 (Tech Daily, Reporter: Liu Xia) - Scientists from the United States and Israel have successfully nurtured a miniature three-dimensional (3D) model representing the earliest developmental stage of the human central nervous system in the laboratory, with these organoids growing for 40 days. This marks the first time scientists have replicated all components of the embryonic brain and spinal cord in the lab, offering insights into brain disorders that arise during early development. The related research paper was published on February 28 in the journal Nature.
Organoids are mini 3D models grown from living tissue, designed to mimic the unique complexity of human organs. In recent years, scientists have cultured numerous organoids, including brain-like structures. However, the research team noted that their latest achievement is the first time scientists have simulated all components of the embryonic brain - the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord - in the laboratory.
The new model utilized human pluripotent stem cells. Initially, the team arranged the stem cells into a row approximately 4.39 cm long and 0.018 cm wide, resembling the shape and size of the neural tube present in 4-week-old human embryos. Subsequently, they inserted this row of cells into a microfluidic device containing numerous tiny channels, allowing the cells to come into contact with different chemical substances, promoting cell growth and forming a 3D structure similar to the early central nervous system. They also introduced a gel to drive the differentiation of stem cells into neurons.
Within 40 days, the cells within the organoids self-organized into structures resembling the early developmental stages of the human embryonic brain and spinal cord, closely mimicking the developmental level of an 11-week-old embryo.
The researchers noted some limitations of the new model. For instance, the neural tube within the organoids appears quite different from the human neural tube, making it less suitable for studying diseases caused by neural tube defects. They hope to further improve the model and utilize stem cells collected directly from patients to study various brain disorders.
For more information, refer to the related paper: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07204-7.
