Scientists have grown a miniature human brain in vitro. Now, in their opinion, they will have the opportunity to observe the development of the uterus and they hope to expand their understanding of the neurological and psychological problems, writes The Guardian.
“Brain organelles” as small as a few millimeters up of layers of brain cells that resemble the structure of the brain in its embryonic stage. According to scientists, the organelles will be useful for biologists who study the changes that occur in the brain in schizophrenia or autism. Organelles can also be applied in the development and testing of drugs. “Until now, it was done with the help of animals in a laboratory or isolated pluripotent human cells,” – say the study’s authors.
Previously, scientists have created models of human organs in the laboratory, including the eyes, the pituitary gland and liver. In the new work of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna were working brain cells from stem cells, they did it with the help of a gel-like matrix, which “re-creates conditions similar to those in the womb of man.” Several months later, the cells formed a sphere with a diameter of 3-4 mm. These “brain organelles” represent discrete areas that resemble the different areas in the early stages of development of the human brain. “These include the spinal cord, the ventral part (contains all the way to the front leading to the brain) and even the immature retina,” – says the study’s author Madeleine Lancaster.
According to co-author the work of Jurgen Knoblicha, “tests of brain cells in the structures showed that they were functional.” To demonstrate how effective the organelles can be used for disorders of the brain, a team of scientists, together with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, brought up the brain tissue and to track the progress of microcephaly – a disease in which the human brain does not develop to normal size as a result of having mental problems. “When I watched the organelles, cells derived from a patient suffering from microcephaly, I immediately noticed that their size was much smaller than organelles derived from healthy cells,” – says M.Lankaster.
She explains this by the fact that the stem cells of the brain, usually through several stages of division, before finally turn into brain cells. However patients microcephaly stem cells begin to become too early brain cells, which leads to the depletion of brain cells.
“This study is exciting, enhances our ability to use cellular technology and provides an understanding of the brain mechanisms of disease and opens new avenues of treatment. Organelles bear a striking resemblance to the human brain,” – commented Zamel Kader of the Oxford hospitals.
Yu.Knoblich notes that the purpose of his team – growing more organelles and treatment of many diseases of the brain. While created a mini-brain can not reach large sizes, as nutrients and oxygen can not penetrate into the central parts without blood supply.
study by researchers published in the journal Nature.
August 29, 2013
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