| Schematic diagram of the ‘human mini brain culture platform’ developed by the research team (provided by IBS)© News1 |
A research team led by Seungwoo Cho, a research fellow at the Institute of Basic Science (IBS) Nanomedicine Research Center, has succeeded in producing a ‘mini brain’ by developing a ‘brain organoid culture platform’ that embodies an environment similar to the real human brain.
This is a mature level close to the level of a newborn’s brain, and was made more than twice as large as before.
According to IBS on the 5th, ‘brain organoid’ is in the spotlight as an optimal model for brain research. However, existing brain organoids remain at the fetal level.
The researchers overcome these limitations with nanotechnology.
First, they developed a ‘3D hydrogel’ in the form of a jelly similar to the microenvironment of the brain.
This utilizes the extracellular matrix (filling the space between cells) of the brain from which cells have been removed (decellularized).
Furthermore, by introducing a ‘microfluidic chip’ composed of fine channels, the flow of the culture medium is precisely adjusted to effectively supply oxygen and the culture medium to the center.
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| Three-dimensional image analysis confirming cortical and structural development of brain organoids (Courtesy of IBS)© News1 |
Afterwards, a brain organoid culture experiment was conducted using the developed hydrogel.
As a result, the neuroepithelium, which constitutes the cerebral cortex, developed, and a large amount of brain wrinkles were generated.
In particular, various brain cells, such as neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, were expressed more than the conventional method.
This means that the brain structure and function have become more mature.
When a microfluidic chip is applied here, it grows to 4-5 mm, which is about twice as large as the existing brain organoids (2-3 mm), and nerve function has been improved, and it has been confirmed through repeated experiments that it grows up to 8 mm.
This made it possible to create artificial brains that were significantly larger and more developed than before.
Research Fellow Cho Seung-woo said, “It is expected to be used as an effective in vitro model for the identification of intractable brain disease mechanisms and development of therapeutic agents.”
Meanwhile, the results of this research were published on the 5th of the online version of ‘Nature Communications’.
km5030@news1.kr
