A Japanese and French research team has developed a technique for connecting lab-grown brain-imitating tissue in a way that resembles circuits in our brains.
A Japanese and French research team has developed a technique for connecting lab-grown brain-imitating tissue. The most interesting part is that it has been done in a way that resembles circuits in our brains.
It is challenging to study the exact mechanisms of brain development and functions. For example, brain cells grown in the lab tend to lack the characteristic connections of cells in the human brain. Researchers are realizing that these interregional connections and the circuits they create are important for many brain functions. Researchers from The University of Tokyo have found a way to create more physiological connections between lab-grown “neural organoids.” That is an experimental model tissue in which human stem cells are grown into three-dimensional developmental brain-mimicking structures. Scientists from The University of Tokyo have discovered a way to make better connections between lab-grown “neural organoids.” These special tissues are created in experiments where human stem cells are grown into 3D structures to mimic brain development. They connected these organoids using axonal bundles, which are like bridges connecting different areas in a living human brain. As co-lead author of the study, Tomoya Duenki said in single-neural organoids grown under laboratory conditions, the cells start to display relatively simple electrical activity.First, they connected two neural organoids with axonal bundles. Then they observed how these connections contributed to generating and synchronizing activity patterns between the organoids. That demonstrated some similarity to connections between two regions within the brain. The cerebral organoids that were connected with axonal bundles showed more complex activity than single organoids. So the team stimulated the axonal bundles using a technique known as optogenetics. The organoid activity was altered accordingly and the organoids were affected by these changes. That lasted for some time and in a process that is known as plasticity. For example, plasticity is important because it helps researchers understand how brain-like structures respond and adapt to changes. This means learning more about how these artificial brain tissues function.is a method used to control and study the activity of cells in living organisms. It was introduced in 2006. It uses genetic engineering and optical technology to control and monitor biological functions. For example, defined light stimulation and efficient light detection systems has enabled optogenetics to disrupt and observe biological functions. “These findings suggest that axonal bundle connections are important for developing complex networks,” explained Yoshiho Ikeuchi, senior author. “Notably, complexAlterations in brain networks have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric conditions. The ability to study lab-grown human neural circuits will improve knowledge of how these networks both form and change. With the main focus on how they do that over time in different situations. That can lead us to improved treatments for these conditions. The article, “Complex Activity and Short-Term Plasticity of Human Cerebral Organoids Reciprocally Connected with Axons,” was published in Nature Communications.Naked clam: Ship-eating worms could soon hit UK supermarket shelves
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