Science Friday Brain ‘Organoids’: Lab-Grown Cell Clusters Model Brain Functions
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Jan 17, 2024 Growing brain organoids in the lab can mimic brain functions, helping us understand disorders. The podcast discusses a groundbreaking model of the cerebellum and the importance of Purkinje neurons in studying neuropsychiatric diseases. Personalized medicine using brain organoids and the potential of linking different organoids to study communication between brain regions are also explored.
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What Brain Organoids Are
- Brain organoids are tiny lab-grown aggregates from human pluripotent stem cells that self-develop into brain tissue.
- They can be cultured for up to a year and continue to mature and generate new cell types over time.
Cerebellum Is A Neuronal Powerhouse
- The cerebellum contains about 80% of the brain's neurons, making it a high-computing-power structure.
- Its evolutionary changes suggest it contributes to advanced functions like emotion and cognition, not just motor control.
Purkinje Neurons In Organoids
- Quadrato's lab generated cerebellar organoids that include all main human cerebellar cell types, including Purkinje neurons.
- Purkinje neurons are large, vulnerable cells implicated in toxic exposures and neurodevelopmental disorders.