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Fine-tuning 3D lab-grown mini tumors to help predict how patients respond to cancer therapies

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method to bioprint miniature tumor organoids that can mimic the function and architecture of real tumors. This allows for the accurate measurement of individual organoids, enabling the identification of personalized treatments for people with rare or hard-to-treat cancers.

SEngine Precision Medicine demonstrates potential of PARIS® Test to find unexpected therapeutic options for treating cancer

The PARIS Test, a CLIA-certified drug sensitivity assay, uses patient-derived tumor organoids to screen an array of drugs and develop personalized treatment reports. Ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor approved only for certain leukemias and lymphomas, was identified as the optimal treatment for a patient with ovarian cancer.

SourceMark Zipkin Freelance Public Relations Consultant·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·TypeCase study·DateMay 24, 2023

Brain research with organoids

Scientists have developed a new method to genetically modify brain organoids, allowing for quick and effective analysis of gene function in early stages of brain development. This breakthrough enables comparative studies across primate species and simulates neurological diseases without animal experiments.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2023

New way to model human brain immune cells

Researchers create a human-brain-like environment to study microglia development and function for the first time in living human-derived tissue. The findings suggest that brain environment influences microglia development and function, particularly in diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateMay 11, 2023

Detailed image of the human retina

Researchers have created a detailed map of human retinal organoid development, revealing information on cell types, proteins, and gene expression. The study uses advanced imaging techniques to visualize multiple proteins simultaneously and provides insights into retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMay 8, 2023

Organoids validated as tool for studying fetal intestine development

Cincinnati Children's scientists have successfully grown functional human intestinal organoids that mimic key development stages of the human fetus. These lab-grown tissues accurately replicate the formation of specific cell types and tissue structures, providing a valuable resource for studying fetal intestine development and potentia...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

HKUMed established the first human respiratory organoid culture system and unveils a novel mechanism for the high transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

A research team created the first human respiratory organoid culture system, enabling scientists to study COVID-19 and its variants. The study found that the BA.5 Omicron variant exhibits dramatically increased infectivity and replicative capacity in human nasal and airway organoids.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Organoids shown to speed glycoengineered vaccine development

Researchers have developed an organoid-based method to assess the potency of glycoconjugate vaccines, speeding up the vaccine development process. This method uses tissue from a single mouse to create hundreds of immune organoids, allowing for the assessment of dozens or even hundreds of vaccine candidates in just four days.

SourceCornell University·JournalACS Central Science·DateApr 12, 2023

Simple but revolutionary modular organoids

Scientists at RIKEN have developed a new technique for creating complex 3D organoids using a cube-like structure made of hydrogels. This innovation enables researchers to control the environment around cells, allowing for the creation of tissues with faithful reproduction of asymmetric genetic expression. The technology has the potenti...

SourceRIKEN·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2023

Tumor avatars to fight colorectal cancer

A UNIGE team created customizable treatments by testing drugs on artificial tumors derived from patients' cancer tissue. The approach opens the way for optimized and tailored therapies against various cancers and diseases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research·TypeNews article·DateApr 4, 2023

Patient-specific cells generated from thymus organoids

The study successfully generated functional patient-specific T-cells and thymic epithelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells using thymus organoids. This breakthrough provides a new experimental model system to investigate thymic insufficiency and function, potentially leading to cell-based treatments for thymic defects.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2023

UCLA-led study uses base editing to correct mutation that causes rare immune deficiency

Researchers at UCLA successfully used base editing to correct a mutation causing rare immune deficiency CD3 delta SCID. The treatment corrected an average of 71% of patient stem cells and allowed them to produce fully functional T cells, suggesting long-term persistence of corrected blood stem cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

Real AI will need biology: Computers powered by human brain cells

Researchers have developed a new type of computer using human brain cells, which could lead to significant advances in computing speed and data efficiency. The technology uses small clusters of brain cells grown from stem cells and aims to increase the number of neurons to surpass electronic computers.

SourceCortical Labs·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 1, 2023

Will future computers run on human brain cells?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing 'organoid intelligence' using human brain cells, which could exponentially expand computing capabilities and solve energy consumption issues. The technology has the potential to revolutionize drug testing research for neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalFrontiers in Science·DateFeb 28, 2023

Gameto licenses Wyss Institute tech to grow human ovaries in the lab

Scientists at the Wyss Institute and Gameto develop a living, fully human ovarian organoid that supports egg cell maturation and secretes sex hormones. This technology enables the study of human ovarian biology without tissue from patients and could lead to new treatments for infertility and ovarian cancer.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2023

Lab-grown retinal eye cells make successful connections, open door for clinical trials to treat blindness

Researchers have successfully grown retinal cells from stem cells that can connect with neighboring cells and transmit sensory information like healthy ones. The breakthrough could lead to human clinical trials to treat degenerative eye disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2023

Human brain organoids implanted into mouse cortex respond to visual stimuli for first time

Researchers have successfully demonstrated that human brain organoids implanted in mice can establish functional connectivity and respond to external sensory stimuli, including visual cues. The breakthrough uses a combination of transparent graphene microelectrode arrays and two-photon imaging, enabling real-time observation of neural ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 28, 2022

3D-patient tumor avatars: Maximizing their potential for next-generation precision oncology

The use of 3D-patient tumor avatars (3D-PTAs) is crucial for guiding treatment decisions in precision oncology. These avatars, including patient-derived organoids, 3D bioprinting, and microscale models, can accurately depict a tumor with its microenvironment, enabling the testing and prediction of therapeutic drug efficacy.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalCancer Cell·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 20, 2022

Scientists' use of hydrogel materials leads to stem cells developing like human embryos

Researchers at UNSW Sydney have successfully induced a gastrulation-like event in human pluripotent stem cells, mimicking the early stages of embryonic development. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for studying human development and creating personalized body tissue or organs using hydrogel materials.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Commercial dishwashers destroy protective layer in gut

A new study by researchers at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research found that commercial dishwashers' rinse agents can damage the gut's epithelial barrier, leading to chronic diseases. The study used human intestinal organoids and analyzed the effect of detergents and rinse aids on gut cells.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2022

New insights into the processing of hormones in the human gut

New insights into the processing of hormones in the human gut reveal dozens of peptides regulating appetite, bowel movement, and insulin secretion. By studying human intestinal organoids, researchers characterized potentially novel gut hormones, including glucagon, and explored its role in human physiology.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Stem cell-derived organoids mimic human parathyroid tissue

Researchers have successfully isolated parathyroid stem cells and maintained them in lab as organoids for an extended period. These patient-derived parathyroid organoids (PTOs) closely mimic human parathyroid tissue, enabling the study of parathyroid diseases and drug development.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2022

Mapping human brain development

Scientists have developed a new method to study human brain development by growing millimetre-sized three-dimensional tissues called organoids from pluripotent stem cells. The researchers characterized the cells in molecular-genetic terms, creating a kind of map showing the molecular fingerprint of each cell within the organoid.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2022

Making lab-grown brain organoids ‘brainier’

Scientists have developed guidelines to produce high-quality, well-structured mini-brain organoids that accurately mimic human brain tissues. By using early-stage stem cells and specific molecules, researchers can overcome challenges in uniformity and structure, enabling studies of neurological development, disease, and therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeNews article·DateSep 29, 2022