Scientists have successfully grown three-dimensional models of brain tissue using human cells, marking a significant step forward in the study of neurological disorders. The research, led by Tufts University, uses a scaffold of silk protein and collagen to support the growth of neurons and other brain cells.
The models can be populated with cells from patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions, allowing researchers to observe disease progression and test potential treatments. The tissue maintains neural activity for many months, providing a stable platform for long-term studies.
Previous models were limited by a lack of human neurons, which are rarely available from healthy individuals. The new technique uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), derived from sources such as patient skin, which can be reprogrammed into various neural subtypes.
“We found the right conditions to get the iPSCs to differentiate into a number of different neural subtypes, as well as astrocytes that support the growing neural networks,” said Professor David L. Kaplan. The findings were published in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering.
Researchers hope to enhance the models with advanced imaging and additional cell types to better mimic the brain environment. Alzheimer's disease affects over 1 million people in the UK, and these models could accelerate the development of new therapies.
