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It's not science fiction: UC San Diego researchers are developing human organoids — miniaturized, 3D versions of an organ produced from reprogrammed stem cells in the lab. These models, sometimes called “mini-brains” or “organs-in-a-dish,” have allowed scientists to study biological functions, diseases and treatments more realistically and in greater detail.
So far this approach has been used to produce the first direct experimental proof that the Zika virus can cause
severe birth defects, to repurpose existing HIV drugs on a rare,
inherited neurological disorder and to create
Neanderthalized “mini-brains.”
Now researchers can
even detect preemie baby-like brain waves from brain organoids, and the tiny brains have
traveled to and from the International Space Station as part of a study of human development in microgravity.
Press releases In the News
Photo Gallery
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Cross-section of organoid infected by Zika virus. Cortical progenitor cells are red, neurons are green, cell nuclei are blue. Credit: Alysson Muotri, UC San Diego.
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Organoids in a Petri dish. Credit: Alysson Muotri, UC San Diego.
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Alysson Muotri, PhD
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Organoid model of autism spectrum disorder. Credit: Alysson Muotri, UC San Diego.
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Organoid self-organizing. Neural progenitor cells are green, cortical layer neurons are red, cell nuclei are depicted in blue. Credit: Cleber A. Trujillo, UC San Diego.