How We're Reverse Engineering the Human Brain in the Lab | Sergiu P. Pasca | TED

Summary

This engaging presentation explores groundbreaking research on brain organoids and assembloids, which are derived from patients' skin cells and used to understand human brain development and disorders. The speaker describes innovative methods to create complex brain circuits in the lab, enabling the study of diseases like autism and schizophrenia. By simulating neuronal behavior and communication, researchers aim to unlock insights into the brain's biology and develop new treatments. The work promises to revolutionize our understanding of brain function, paving the way for advanced therapeutic strategies in neuropsychiatric conditions.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Scientists can grow parts of the human brain in lab cultures called brain organoids and assembloids.
• 🔬 Brain organoids are created from skin cells of individuals, reprogrammed to become stem cells, and then guided to develop into brain cells.
• 🌱 These brain models help researchers understand the unique characteristics of the human brain and its susceptibility to diseases.
• 🧩 Assembloids, formed by combining multiple organoids, can model complex brain circuits and mimic communication between brain cells.
• 🧪 Researchers have discovered how low oxygen affects specific cell types in premature babies using brain organoids.
• ⏳ Organoids can be cultured for extended periods, providing insight into brain development over time, akin to a 'brain clock.'
• ⚖️ Ethical considerations are crucial as the technology advances, particularly regarding the complexity and capabilities of brain models.
• 🧬 The research allows for the modeling of brain disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia, using patient-derived organoids and assembloids.
• 💡 New findings could lead to therapeutic avenues for conditions like Timothy syndrome by understanding and potentially restoring cellular mechanisms.
• 🚀 The work represents a paradigm shift in neuroscience, enabling researchers to recreate human brain circuits for further exploration of brain biology and disease treatment.

Q & A

What are brain organoids?

Brain organoids are clumps of neural tissue grown from individual cells that can mimic certain aspects of the human brain's structure and function.

How do assembloids differ from brain organoids?

Assembloids are more complex structures formed by combining multiple brain organoids, allowing them to communicate and form circuits similar to those in a real brain.

What process is used to create brain organoids from skin cells?

The process involves reprogramming skin cells from patients back into stem cells, which can then be guided to differentiate into brain cells.

What unique insight does the research aim to provide regarding the human brain?

The research aims to understand how the human brain develops, how disorders arise, and to find new treatments by using brain organoids and assembloids.

Why are animal models insufficient for studying human brain disorders?

While animal models, such as mice, provide valuable insights, they do not fully capture the unique characteristics of the human brain, which makes understanding human-specific diseases challenging.

What ethical considerations arise from the research on brain organoids and assembloids?

Ethical considerations include the potential complexity of these models and the implications of sensory input, raising questions about their status and how they should be regulated.

What was the key finding regarding low oxygen levels and premature babies' brains?

The research found that low oxygen levels specifically affected a cell type responsible for the expansion of the human cortex, which could lead to understanding and preventing related brain disorders.

How does the research aim to address psychiatric diseases?

By creating patient-specific organoids and assembloids, the research seeks to dissect the molecular mechanisms of diseases like autism and schizophrenia to develop better treatments.

What is the significance of modeling the human cortical motor pathway?

Modeling the human cortical motor pathway demonstrates the ability to recreate complex neural circuits, potentially advancing our understanding of voluntary movement and related disorders.

How long can brain organoids be maintained in culture?

Brain organoids can be grown in a laboratory dish for years, with some cultures reported to have lasted over 800 days.