Scientists have reached a major milestone by creating a three-dimensional lab model that depicts the initial developmental stages of the human central nervous system. This achievement relies on the generation of organoids, miniature 3D constructs employing living tissues to simulate human organs.
The Significance of Organoids
Organoids are tiny three-dimensional structures produced in labs from human or animal cells, designed to emulate the structure and functionality of specific human organs. These 3D models present a more accurate alternative to two-dimensional cell cultures and animal models, facilitating more precise biological process studies.
Specifically designed to represent the human brain, brain organoids or cerebroids are derived from pluripotent stem cells capable of differentiating into various cell types. These cerebroids replicate key features of the developing brain, allowing researchers to investigate brain development aspects and model neurological disorders.
The referenced study introduces a brain organoid model surpassing previous models by simulating the embryonic brain’s three sections and the spinal cord, offering a fuller representation of the human central nervous system’s early development stages.
The Early Phases of the Human Central Nervous System
The creation of this advanced organoid model depended on human pluripotent stem cells. These cells were prompted to form a sequence that mimics the neural tube’s structure, the foundation from which the brain and spinal cord of a human embryo develop.
The approach included using a microfluidic device with numerous tiny channels, enabling controlled exposure of cells to specific chemicals. These channels allowed the cells to encounter chemical stimuli, promoting their development into a 3D structure that embodies the human central nervous system’s early stages. The introduction of a gel within this apparatus was essential for encouraging the stem cells to differentiate into neurons, the nervous system’s signaling cells.
Throughout a forty-day development period, the organoids evolved to closely replicate the anterior, middle, and posterior brain sections and the spinal cord seen in an eleven-week human embryo.
Stem Cells Forming Human Neural Tube-like Structures
This progress opens up new avenues for understanding developmental brain disorders and provides a promising platform for future medical research applications. The researchers aim to refine the device to explore various brain diseases using patient-derived stem cells, potentially leading to significant insights and treatments for complex neurological conditions.
