Brain organoid from human stem cells under the fluorescence microscope: the protein GLI3 is stained purple and marks neuronal precursor cells in forebrain regions of the organoid. Neurons are stained green. (Photograph: F. Sanchís Calleja, A. Jain, P. Wahle / ETH Zürich)
Brain organoid from human stem cells under the fluorescence microscope: the protein GLI3 is stained purple and marks neuronal precursor cells in forebrain regions of the organoid. Neurons are stained green. (Photograph: F. Sanchís Calleja, A. Jain, P. Wahle / ETH Zürich) - Researchers at ETH Zurich are growing human brain-like tissue from stem cells and are then mapping the cell types that occur in different brain regions and the genes that regulate their development. The human brain is probably the most complex organ in the entire living world and has long been an object of fascination for researchers. However, studying the brain, and especially the genes and molecular switches that regulate and direct its development, is no easy task. To date, scientists have proceeded using animal models, primarily mice, but their findings cannot be transferred directly to humans. A mouse's brain is structured differently and lacks the furrowed surface typical of the human brain.
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