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Jun 25, 2024

Artificial mini-brains without animal components offer neuroscience opportunities

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a method to produce artificially grown miniature brains—called human brain organoids—free of animal cells that could greatly improve the way neurodegenerative conditions are studied and, eventually, treated.

Over the last decade of researching , scientists have explored the use of as an alternative to mouse models. These self-assembled, 3D tissues derived from embryonic or more closely model the complex structure compared to conventional two-dimensional cultures.

Until now, the engineered network of proteins and molecules that give structure to the cells in , known as extracellular matrices, often used a substance derived from mouse sarcomas called Matrigel. That method suffers significant disadvantages, with a relatively undefined composition and batch-to-batch variability.

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