Scientists develop human brains in the laboratory

Scientists may soon be able to train human brains in the laboratory after developing a three-dimensional model of the brain using human cells, which would allow them to better study abnormal brain activity.

Experts have been cultivating brain tissue for years, but this technique uses a neutral functional tissue to create a "brain-like structure."

Researchers say they will be able to use cells from people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in the future to understand how they respond to certain treatments.

A team of researchers led by Tufts University has developed three-dimensional models of the central nervous system based on human tissue, which simulate the structural and functional features of the brain as well as continuous nerve activity for several months.

The researchers developed the cells on a three-dimensional structure based on silk protein and collagen, allowing the formation of "organic bodies resembling the brain".

Models of human brain tissue allow interactions, disease development, and response to treatment.

Scientists say that three-dimensional models of brain tissue overcome a major challenge of older models, namely the lack of human neurons, because nerve tissue is rarely removed from healthy patients and is usually available only when the brain is in normal condition. after the death of these.

Instead, three-dimensional tissue models are filled with induced stem cells (iPSCs), stem cells artificially derived from non-abundant cells, that can come from many sources, including the patient's skin.

Researchers believe that networks built from human-induced multiple-ability stem cells or "iPSC cells" can provide new information about diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

"Silk and collagen structures provide the appropriate environment for the production of cells with genetic fingerprints and electrical signals present in local nerve tissue," said researcher David Kaplan.

"The growth of neural networks is very durable and consistent in three-dimensional tissue models, whether we use cells of healthy individuals or cells of patients with Alzheimer's disease or Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's, "said William Cantley. "This gives us a reliable platform for studying various diseases and the ability to monitor what happens to cells in the long run."

Source: Daily Mail