Organoids
Articles tagged with Organoids
Aparna Bhaduri awarded Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for advancing glioblastoma research
Dr. Aparna Bhaduri receives $750k Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize for her innovative glioblastoma research. Her advanced human organoid models reveal how tumors interact with the immune system and brain cells, driving tumor aggressiveness.
The boy on the balcony who never came outside
Dr. Dilek Colak's journey began with a childhood observation of a boy with mental illness, which inspired her to pursue a career in neuroscience. Her current work focuses on understanding autism and schizophrenia through the study of human brain organoids.
Lab-grown human skin advances our understanding of the critical role of skin blood vessels in inflammation, repair, regeneration, and aging
Researchers have created lab-grown human skin organoids that can form complex microvascular networks similar to those in native human skin. These self-organizing structures function similarly to native skin, responding to inflammatory stimuli and re-growing after injury.
Freeze-dried platelet product slows swelling and bleeding in TBI
A new freeze-dried blood product called Thrombosomes has shown promise in treating traumatic brain injuries by reducing swelling and bleeding. The product, derived from platelets with trehalose preservation, has been tested on mice and found to be effective in stabilizing damaged blood vessels.
Natural component from licorice alleviates inflammatory bowel disease in stem cell-based model and in animals
A new study uses a human stem cell-derived model to identify potential therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), highlighting glycyrrhizin as a promising candidate. Glycyrrhizin significantly prevents intestinal cell death in both stem cell models and mice with IBD, reducing inflammation and cell death.
3D tumor organoids give brain tumor researchers new scientific opportunities
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital developed patient-derived tumor organoids that accurately reflect the biologic underpinnings of embryonal brain tumors. The models enable faster functional assays and preclinical drug testing without relying on newly obtained tumor samples, advancing the study of pediatric brain tumors.
Giving a voice to vocal fold regeneration
A team of researchers from Kyoto University has identified multiple types of stromal and secretory cells in the larynx, revealing new insights into vocal fold regeneration. The study's findings provide potential stem cells for treating vocal cord dysfunction and other voice disorders.
Rett syndrome study highlights potential for personalized treatments
A new study by MIT researchers uses advanced human cell cultures to model Rett syndrome, revealing distinct abnormalities caused by two different mutations of the MECP2 gene. The findings suggest that correcting key differences made by each mutation requires different treatments, paving the way for personalized therapies.
Stem Cell Reports named official journal of 2026 BaCell 3D Conference
STEM Cell Reports has been named the official journal of the 2026 BaCell 3D Organoid Conference in Basel, Switzerland. The conference will bring together leading scientists and experts to share their latest findings on organoid technologies and disease modeling.
Brain tumors: 3D experimental system to evaluate candidate drugs against glioma
Researchers have created a 3D experimental system to study the response of low-grade gliomas to drugs, providing a more realistic environment for testing treatments. The system uses organoids from pluripotent stem cells to replicate glioma development and characteristics.
New sensors lower the cost of studying genetic disorders
Researchers developed a new sensor called CAMEO to monitor electrical activity in human cerebral organoids, facilitating research into neurodevelopment and genetic disorders. The device is made of carbon nanotube strands, enabling low-cost and scalable monitoring.
Stress tested, testing stress: Novel organoid models how the adrenal gland develops
Researchers developed a lab-grown organoid system that faithfully mimics human adrenal gland development and forms complex tissue structures. The system enables the study of adrenal biology, cortisol production in response to stress, and disease development, with potential applications for regenerative therapies.
A long-term and scalable system to record from neural organoids
Researchers at King's College London have developed a new brain organoid system that reduces variability and allows for longer-term recordings of neural activity. The approach enables the simultaneous study of multiple parallel cultures, providing a better understanding of how drugs or gene variants affect neural networks.
UCLA researchers receive $13.9 million CIRM grant to identify drug targets for autism and schizophrenia using human stem cell models
Researchers will use human stem cell-based models to uncover molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying autism and schizophrenia. They aim to identify genetic variants that alter brain development and pinpoint common underlying mechanisms for both conditions.
New $1.9 million grant lets Montana State team deepen understanding of avian flu
Researchers at Montana State University will study how avian flu viruses impact cells in the chicken intestine to better understand their growth, spread, and propagation. The study aims to find alternative strategies to vaccination, as current vaccines have unclear efficacy and can lead to food safety regulations and trade restrictions.
Dynamic gel helps scientists grow organs more reliably in the lab
Scientists at UCSF created a new material that enables more predictable organoid growth, allowing for better study of disease and potential tissue replacement. The dynamic gel, invented by Zev Gartner, mimics the body's soft environment and enables precise 3D printing of stem cells.
Brain organoids can be trained to solve a goal-directed task
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz successfully train brain organoids to balance a virtual pole, demonstrating adaptive learning capabilities. This breakthrough has implications for understanding neurological conditions and developing new tools for studying brain function.
Living ‘mini brains’ meet next-generation bioelectronics
Researchers have developed a new device that can record and stimulate activity across the entire surface of miniature, lab-grown human brain-like tissues, enabling whole-network mapping and manipulation. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of brain development, function, and disease.
How did humans develop sharp vision? Lab-grown retinas show likely answer
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University used lab-grown retinal tissue to discover the cellular mechanisms that shape the foveola, a critical part of the eye responsible for sharp vision. The findings suggest that blue cones convert into red and green cones during early development, rather than migrating to other parts of the retina.
Paralysis treatment heals lab-grown human spinal cord organoids
Researchers developed an advanced organoid model for human spinal cord injury and tested a promising regenerative therapy. The treatment triggered neurite growth and reduced scarring in injured organoids, offering validation for its potential to work in humans.
Lab-grown organoids reveal how glioblastoma outsmarts treatment
Researchers developed miniature 3D tumor organoid models that closely mimic the human brain, revealing how glioblastoma interacts with surrounding brain cells and immune system. The models identified PTPRZ1 as a key regulator of tumor behavior, which helps determine its aggressiveness.
Lab-grown mini-stomachs could boost understanding of rare diseases
Researchers created pea-sized mini-stomachs with three main regions, replicating human stomach function and acid secretion. The study models a rare genetic disease, paving the way for personalized treatment and accelerated clinical approval.
AAAS and Research Networks announce partnership to add three titles to Science Partner Journal program
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has partnered with Research Networks to publish Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, Computational and Structural Biotechnology Reports, and Brain Organoid & Systems Neuroscience Journal as Science Partner Journals. These journals will publish high-quality re...
Making human pancreatic acinar cells
Dresden researchers have developed a system to test multiple compounds on human pancreatic organoids, identifying 54 compounds that affect pancreas development. These compounds inhibit the GSK3A/B protein and drive progenitor cells to differentiate into functional acinar cells. The ability to generate acinar organoids is valuable for s...
Human nasal passages defend against the common cold and help determine how sick we get
Researchers created lab-grown human nasal tissue to study the defense mechanisms against rhinoviruses. They found that cells in the nasal lining produce interferons, which induce a coordinated antiviral defense, controlling viral replication and reducing damage.
Engineering multicellular systems conference in Barcelona
The EMBL-IBEC conference brings together experts to discuss recent breakthroughs in multicellular living systems, including organoids and embryonic development. The event will focus on disease modeling, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine applications.
Wyss Institute-led collaboration awarded by ARPA-H PRINT program to engineer off-the-shelf, universal, transplant-ready graft for liver failure
A multidisciplinary team of world-leading experts is developing an off-the-shelf engineered product that could address liver failure in millions of patients. The ImPLANT project aims to create synthetic biology-based gene circuits in human induced pluripotent stem cells to drive cell differentiation into all required liver cell types.
Korea University study mimics heart mechanics in organoids using three-dimensional magnetic torque
A Korea University study successfully mimics heart mechanics in organoids using three-dimensional magnetic torque, enhancing cardiac differentiation, maturation, and vascularization. This breakthrough could improve drug safety testing by providing more accurate human-relevant models for cardiotoxicity screening.
The secret route of prostate infections
Researchers developed a lab-grown model of the prostate gland to study bacterial infections. They found that E. coli targets specific cells and uses a 'lock and key' principle to invade. A sugar molecule called D-mannose blocks this interaction, offering a potential new strategy to prevent and treat prostate infections.
Engineering the development of the pancreas
Scientists created three-dimensional pancreatic models to study the development of fluid-filled cavities. They found that low pressure and high cell proliferation rates produce complex, star-shaped lumens. The discovery can help understand organ development and diagnose diseases.
SPINECRAFT: a platform aiming to transform the study of spinal cord biology
The SPINECRAFT project aims to create a cutting-edge, 4D human spinal cord construct that mirrors the architecture and functionality of the real spinal cord. This platform will enable detailed studies of spinal cord biology and integrate patient-derived cells to recreate disease-specific environments.
Researchers discover how stomach cancer learns to grow on its own
Early gastric cancer cells become self-sufficient by producing WNT7B, creating a self-sustaining loop and activating WNT signaling internally. This mechanism is triggered by MAPK signaling activation and has been validated in genetically engineered mouse models and human patient-derived organoids.
UMBC-led team to study how HIV and cancer drugs harm the brain
Researchers will investigate how HIV and cancer drugs damage brain cells over time, identifying potential early biomarkers of neurotoxicity. They will use human brain organoids grown in the lab to mimic brain physiology.
Insights into dry eyes gained from stem cell-derived tear glands
Dry eye disease affects 5-15% of people, causing symptoms like redness and burning sensation. Researchers generated human tear gland organoids from stem cells to understand the connection between DED and autophagy. They found that disabling autophagy led to cellular disruption, reduced tear protein secretion, and increased cell death.
Patient-specific human liver model to understand disease mechanisms
Researchers at MPI-CBG have created a patient-specific human liver model consisting of three liver cell types, capturing key aspects of human liver physiology in a dish. The novel model provides a platform to study liver diseases, develop new treatments, and advance personalized medicine.
How errors in the “cell skeleton” lead to a smaller brain
Researchers model Baraitser-Winter syndrome using human brain organoids, finding altered actin genes lead to reduced brain growth and smaller size. The study reveals a single mutation in the cytoskeleton causes disruption in early brain development.
New immune role discovered for specialized gut cells linked to celiac disease
Researchers have identified a new immune function of human M cells, which can process and present gluten antigens, suggesting a potential link to celiac disease. This discovery sheds light on gut immunity and may support future research into celiac disease diagnosis or treatment.
Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading
Scientists at Penn Vet have identified two genes, Ctnna1 and Bcl2l13, that suppress metastasis in preclinical models of colorectal cancer. These findings could lead to better treatments and therapies for patients with metastatic disease.
Retinal organoid platform identifies biomarkers and affords genetic testing for retinal disease
A new retinal organoid platform has identified biomarkers for Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) and allows for genetic testing of patients. The platform uses small 3D structures of retinal cells to classify variants of uncertain significance in LCA genes.
Mini lung organoids made in bulk could help test personalized cancer treatments
Researchers create a simple, automated way of making lung organoids, which could help test early-stage experimental drugs more effectively. The bioreactor produces larger numbers of organoids with fewer manual labor requirements, offering promise for personalized patient treatments.
Evidence suggests early developing human brains are preconfigured with instructions for understanding the world
Researchers found that early brain firings occur in structured patterns without external experiences, suggesting a genetically encoded blueprint. This discovery can help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders and the impact of toxins on the developing brain.
Terasaki Institute and Caltech awarded $2.8 million CIRM grant to advance research on human embryo formation
Researchers at Terasaki Institute and Caltech will use stem cell-based models to identify factors influencing early human development. The goal is to gain insights into infertility, pregnancy loss, and developmental disorders.
Beyond Matrigel: An engineered hydrogel for 3D stem cell culture
Scientists at The University of Osaka developed a novel hydrogel that supports the efficient 3D culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells. This new material combines the properties of fibrin and laminin-511, creating a potent, xeno-free scaffold with strong cell adhesion.
OHSU researchers identify new tools for early cancer detection, treatment
New review highlights advances in New Approach Methodologies and tissue engineering, offering powerful tools to study early stages of cancer development. Lab-grown models replicate human body environment, unlocking clues about cancer initiation. These models also support discovery of new biomarkers for earlier detection.
First transplant in pigs of modified porcine kidneys with human renal organoids
Researchers developed a scalable method to produce human kidney organoids, combining them with pig kidneys outside the body for transplantation. The transplanted organs functioned normally and showed no signs of damage or toxicity.
Study finds protein target that predicts drug resistance in colon cancer
A team of researchers identified a unique protein signature that can predict which patients are likely to resist standard therapies, paving the way for personalized treatments. By blocking a specific transporter system, they made tumors more sensitive to treatment, suggesting a promising new avenue for treating colorectal cancer.
MIT invents human brain model with six major cell types to enable personalized disease research, drug discovery
Researchers developed a new human brain tissue platform called miBrains, integrating all major brain cell types and modeling brain structures, cellular interactions, activity, and pathological features. The models can be customized through gene editing and are derived from individual patients' genomes.
Bacteria to the rescue again
The study introduces a synthetic, animal-free gel that enables the long-term growth of 3D organoids, overcoming limitations of traditional animal-derived gels. The PIC–invasin gel offers robustness, consistency, and potential for widespread use in research and clinical settings.
Innovations in organoid engineering: Construction methods, model development, and clinical translation
Organoids are transforming biomedical research with their ability to model complex diseases like cancer, Zika virus infection, and cystic fibrosis. They enable high-throughput drug testing, personalized treatment prediction, and safety assessment.
Mini-organs reveal how the cervix defends itself
Researchers at Aarhus University used mini-organs to show that cervical epithelial cells actively detect and combat infections, with uninfected cells becoming immune-active. This discovery opens opportunities for mucosal vaccines and targeted treatments against STIs and infertility.
Kidney organoid unlocks genetic cause of chronic kidney disease
Researchers have discovered that APOL1 mutations impair mitochondrial function in podocytes, leading to impaired kidney filtering. This finding could explain why inflammation triggers the onset of AMKD in patients, paving the way for targeted treatments.
From Petri dish to patient care: organoids bring personalized cancer therapy closer
Tiny organoid models capture the complexity of human tumors, enabling accurate testing of drugs and prediction of treatment responses. These mini-tumors preserve tumor heterogeneity, reflect real patient biology, and provide a platform for personalized cancer vaccines.
Neural basis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder found in brain organoids
Johns Hopkins researchers used machine learning to analyze electric activity of mini-brains grown in a lab, revealing unique firing patterns associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The study improves accuracy in distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy brain organoids, paving the way for potential diagnostic tests and p...
USC Stem Cell-led team makes major advance toward building a synthetic kidney
A USC Stem Cell-led team has successfully generated lab-grown kidney structures, or organoids, that exhibit kidney-like functions such as blood filtration and urine production. The 'assembloids' achieved maturity levels comparable to newborn mouse kidneys, paving the way for developing new therapies for patients awaiting transplant.
Brain organoids could unlock energy-efficient AI
The team will study neurons within a brain organoid, a millimeter-sized, three-dimensional structure grown in the lab from adult stem cells, to design smarter and more sustainable artificial intelligence. They aim to replicate complex computations that occur in the human brain to improve AI efficiency.
Circulating tumor cell-derived organoids: Unveiling mechanisms of tumor metastasis and establishing a new platform for precision therapy
Researchers have developed a new platform for investigating tumor metastasis using CTC-derived organoids. These organoids provide an in-depth model for analyzing CTC behavior, including interactions with the tumor microenvironment and drug resistance mechanisms.
NIH funds study of type 1 diabetes development
A four-year NIH grant will support a study of type 1 diabetes, led by Dr. Shuibing Chen at Weill Cornell Medicine. The researchers will investigate the interplay between genetic and environmental triggers using advanced laboratory and computational tools.
UCLA researchers find how epilepsy genes disrupt different brain regions using stem cell models
Researchers found distinct effects of single disease-causing gene variants across different brain regions, pointing to hippocampal disruptions as a key factor in cognitive problems beyond seizures. This study provides an early step toward understanding why current treatments often fall short and may help identify new therapies.
USC Stem Cell scientists unlock blueprint for lab-grown kidney cells with preclinical value
USC Stem Cell scientists have developed a blueprint for generating specific kidney cell types on demand, holding immense value for preclinical studies of new therapeutics and congenital kidney diseases. The team successfully created lab-grown proximal tubule cells that can absorb sugar and protein, respond to chemotherapy drugs, and pr...