Mini Brain cells from fetuses could 'revolutionize neuroscience'

Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking development by creating the world's first miniature brains, a feat that could significantly advance neuroscience. These three-dimensional organs, roughly the size of a grain of rice, were cultivated in a laboratory using human fetal brain tissue, sourced from medically terminated pregnancies.

Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in the Netherlands focused on replicating an early to mid-developmental stage of the brain. For this purpose, they utilized brain tissue from fetuses aborted during the 12th to 15th weeks of gestation. The team discovered that the fetal brain tissue was crucial for the successful cultivation of these mini brains, a finding that was unexpected and significant for their research. 

Previously, in the development of miniature organs, scientists typically broke down original tissues into individual cells, employing embryonic or pluripotent stem cells to cultivate and replicate specific brain regions. This novel discovery, however, has led scientists to contemplate utilizing these mini-organs to model brain cancer, with a particular focus on its development in children. The ultimate aim of this research is to contribute significantly towards finding a cure for pediatric brain cancer.

Dr. Delilah Hendriks, a group leader at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, a postdoctoral researcher at the Hubrecht Institute, and an Oncode Investigator, who co-authored the study, stated, "These new organoids derived from fetal tissue can provide unique insights into the formation of different brain regions and the generation of cellular diversity." The use of the tissue for research purposes was consented to by anonymous donors. 

The research team aimed to determine if they could develop a long-term expanding organoid that mirrored the cellular complexity of a human brain. To achieve this, they used fetal brain tissue, cutting it into small fragments and arranging these pieces in a dish. The cultures were then placed on an orbital shaker, a key step in their experimental process.

During the initial four to eight days of their experiment, the researchers observed the formation of multiple 3D structures, which continued to grow while maintaining an appearance similar to brain tissue. They discovered that by dividing the fetal brain organoid, it could regenerate to double its original size within a period of 20 to 30 days in culture. 

Over the course of eight months, the mini brains continued to develop, eventually reaching a size of 1,500 cubic centimeters. After this point, their growth rate slowed, but they could still be maintained. With the primary objective of combating brain cancer in mind, the research team used some of these newly formed organoids to create miniature tumors. They employed CRISPR-Cas9, a precise gene-editing technique originally discovered in bacteria, to modify a small number of cells within the organoids. This modification involved introducing a cancer gene known as TP53, to simulate brain cancer within the organoids. 

The gene-editing process, which involved the TP53 cancer gene, took three months to completely transform the healthy cells in the organoids, replicating the characteristics typical of cancer cells. This development demonstrated significant potential for cancer drug research. The findings of this study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, suggest the possibility of using these organoids in the search for a cancer cure, potentially revolutionizing brain research. Dr. Benedetta Artegiani, a co-author of the study, emphasized the value of this breakthrough: “Brain organoids derived from fetal tissue are an invaluable new tool for studying human brain development. Our novel, tissue-derived brain model enables a deeper understanding of how the developing brain controls cell identity.” 

Dr. Benedetta Artegiani further explained that this breakthrough could provide key insights into neurodevelopmental disorders like microcephaly and other conditions arising from developmental irregularities, including childhood brain cancer. In the United States, nearly 16,000 children from birth to 19 years of age are diagnosed with cancer annually, with about 4,000 of these cases involving brain and spinal cord tumors. This research could be crucial in understanding and potentially treating such conditions. 

Dr. Benedetta Artegiani further explained that this breakthrough could provide key insights into neurodevelopmental disorders like microcephaly and other conditions arising from developmental irregularities, including childhood brain cancer. In the United States, nearly 16,000 children from birth to 19 years of age are diagnosed with cancer annually, with about 4,000 of these cases involving brain and spinal cord tumors. This research could be crucial in understanding and potentially treating such conditions. Read the full story: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12939271/Scientists-mini-brains-fetuses-neuroresearch.html?ito=msngallery 

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