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Scientists grow functioning human neural networks in 3D from stem cells
A team of Tufts University-led researchers has developed three-dimensional (3D) human tissue culture models for the central nervous system that mimic structural and functional features of the brain and demonstrate neural activity sustained over a period of many months. With the ability to populate a 3D matrix of silk protein and collagen with cells from patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions, the tissue models allow for the exploration of cell interactions, disease progression and response to treatment. The development and characterization of the models are reported today in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, a journal of the American Chemical Society.
The new 3D brain tissue models overcome a key challenge of previous models -the availability of human source neurons. This is due to the fact that neurological tissues are rarely removed from healthy patients and are usually only available post-mortem from diseased patients. The 3D tissue models are instead populated with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be derived from many sources, including patient skin. The iPSCs are generated by turning back the clock on cell development to their embryonic-like precursors. They can then be dialed forward again to any cell type, including neurons.
[...] Compared to growing and culturing cells in two dimensions, the three-dimensional matrix yields a significantly more complete mix of cells found in neural tissue, with the appropriate morphology and expression of receptors and neurotransmitters, according to the paper.
Also at ZDNet and Motherboard.
Functional and Sustainable 3D Human Neural Network Models from Pluripotent Stem Cells (DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00622) (DX)
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 19 2018, @08:17PM (2 children)
You don't need the cells. With the full Einstein genome sequenced and *digitized*, you could eventually produce the cells synthetically.
The entire genome could be compressed down to megabytes and distributed to everyone who wants a copy. Then groups can try to synthesize a cell or cell culture later when the technology improves.
That being said, we are probably overestimating the value of Einstein's genetic "nature". And if a 3D cell culture brain can be scaled up enough, it won't matter whose DNA you use. You might even get good results with a rat brain scaled to be larger than a human's (simple genetic changes can make it more human-like with greater glial density, etc.).
- t
(Score: 3, Insightful) by acid andy on Friday October 19 2018, @09:55PM
I think you're right. The brain grows and develops according to how it is used. Doubtless other factors such as nutrition, blood flow / oxygenation and the balance of neurotransmitters will have an effect on the development too. Not to mention education and interests--an Einstein clone that hates doing math probably won't be too productive.
If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Sunday October 21 2018, @05:01AM
If you were going to use non-human cells I would go for either parrot or corvid. Both are remarkably smart for the size of their brains.
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.