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Brain and organoid side-by-side

The Hippenmeyer group has developed a stable mouse stem cell line and created a robust and reproducible mouse cortical organoid protocol. By comparing developmental stages of the mouse brain with those of the organoids using single-cell sequencing, they found similar cell populations and molecular programs.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2026

Mini monitor measures artificial heartbeat

A new device inspired by fish's lateral line senses the pulse of lab-grown heart tissue, enabling real-time monitoring of hundreds of tests. This breakthrough could revolutionize drug screening and personalized medicine with more accurate human tissue simulations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2026

Developing clinical-grade intestinal organoids for regenerative medicine applications

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a novel culture system to produce stable, scalable, and low-cost clinical-grade intestinal organoids from patient biopsy samples. The innovative approach uses clinical-grade collagen and synthetic peptides to enhance growth and improve scalability.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

Decoding Inflammatory Bowel Disease – on a chip

A new study replicated patient- and sex-specific hallmarks of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in a human organ chip, identifying stromal fibroblasts as key drivers of inflammation, fibrosis, and enhanced cancer risk. The model also recapitulated the impact of pregnancy hormones on IBD severity in female patients.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2026

Chinese Medical Journal article review explores organoid models in investigational new drug regulation and development

Researchers review organoid-related regulations and progress in IND approval, highlighting the prospects and limitations of organoid models. Organoids are poised to reshape drug research and development with their high clinical relevance, shorter experimental cycles, and lower costs.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 8, 2026

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.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2025

From passive to intelligent: Bioengineered organs meet electronics

Recent advances in biofabrication and biomedical electronics have led to the development of biohybrid-engineered tissue (BHET) platforms, turning passive constructs into intelligent systems. These platforms show promise in diverse applications, including brain organoids and cardiac tissues, blurring the line between biology and machine.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateJul 17, 2025

Bioengineered blood vessels show promise in trauma care

A new type of bioengineered blood vessel demonstrated superior infection resistance and better limb preservation compared to conventional synthetic grafts. The technology has the potential to reduce amputation numbers significantly, as it can be implanted immediately and is more resistant to infection than traditional options.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Surgery·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2025

Antidepressant shows promise for treating brain tumors

Researchers at ETH Zurich have found an antidepressant, vortioxetine, effective against glioblastomas, a particularly aggressive brain tumor with no cure. The drug's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger a signalling cascade makes it promising for treating this deadly tumour.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 20, 2024

Unlocking the secrets of cell behavior on soft substrates: A paradigm shift in mechanobiology

A new method for studying cancer cells' behavior on soft and stiff tissue environments has been developed, revealing crucial survival cues for cell growth. The study challenges the long-held assumption that cells prefer stiffer surfaces, opening up new possibilities for research in cancer biology and tissue engineering.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2023

Creating artificially engineered organs could become quicker and easier

Researchers have developed a new manufacturing pipeline to simplify and advance high-value manufacturing of tissue-compatible organs, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough aims to address the dire need for artificially engineered organs and tissue grafts, potentially saving thousands of lives in the UK.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 12, 2023

Innovative 3D drug screening system

A team led by Professor Timo Betz has developed a 3D cell culture chamber to grow muscle and other tissue using high-resolution microscopy. The new system will enable scientists to mimic the mechanical situations that confront various living tissues in serious conditions, reducing animal testing and costs.

Creating 3D objects with sound

Researchers at Max Planck Institute and Heidelberg University have developed a technology to assemble matter in 3D using sound waves. They successfully printed microparticles, gel beads, and biological cells into three-dimensional shapes, paving the way for novel 3D cell culture techniques.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023

The future of replacement organs is (quite possibly) here: robust human intestinal organoids created in a lab

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed a new approach to grow human intestinal mini-organs in the lab. They used cell culture plates and bioreactors to create robust and healthy intestine-like tissues that can be transplanted into mice, demonstrating the potential for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCell Reports Methods·DateDec 5, 2022

‘Love hormone’ revealed to have heart healing properties

Researchers discover that oxytocin stimulates stem cells to migrate and develop into cardiomyocytes in zebrafish and human cell cultures. This could lead to the regeneration of damaged hearts after a heart attack. The study found that oxytocin also activates EpiPCs, which can replenish lost cardiomyocytes.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2022

Modeling a devastating childhood disease on a chip

A team of researchers created an in vitro human model of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) using the Human Organ Chip technology. The EED Chips recapitulate features of EED found in biopsies from human patients, including inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between malnu...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 23, 2022

Robot skin heals

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have created a controllable robotic finger covered with living skin tissue that can heal itself. The development could lead to new possibilities in advanced manufacturing industries, such as automation and cosmetics, reducing costs, time, and complexity of research.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Microgravity analog culture profoundly affects microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models, a new study finds

A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.

SourceArizona State University·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Cardiac progenitor cells generate healthy tissue after a heart attack

A team of researchers has successfully treated damaged pig hearts with cardiac progenitor cells, demonstrating the formation of new cardiac tissue and improved cardiac function. The treatment could potentially be used to treat patients with serious heart failure, particularly older patients with coexisting conditions.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

Researchers share insights about the mechanisms of human embryo and create method to develop transcriptionally similar cells in tissue culture

Scientists have identified a retinoic acid-dependent hemogenic endothelial progenitor from human pluripotent stem cells, enabling the development of transcriptionally similar cells in tissue culture. This breakthrough method brings researchers closer to developing blood-forming stem cells for transfusions and cancer treatments.

Turmeric compound helps grow engineered blood vessels and tissues

Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered that curcumin promotes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, helping to grow engineered blood vessels and tissues. The study uses magnetic hydrogels coated with curcumin-coated nanoparticles, which gradually release the compound without injuring cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 6, 2022

Multi-omics analyses help to analyze the variation produced by in vitro culture

A recent study analyzed the genomes, methylomes, and transcriptomes of calli and sweet orange calli cultured in vitro for 30 years. The results show dynamic somaclonal variation patterns during dedifferentiation and reprogramming, affecting somatic embryogenesis. The findings offer a deeper understanding of in vitro variation and its a...

Deleting dysfunctional cells alleviates diabetes

Researchers at UConn Health have discovered that eliminating senescent cells in human fat tissue can alleviate signs of diabetes and improve insulin sensitivity. The study suggests that clearing away these dysfunctional cells could lead to game-changing new treatments for Type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

When organoids meet coronaviruses

Researchers have established an organoid biobank to search for genes essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication and spread. The study identified TMPRSS2 as a potential therapeutic target for the coronavirus, with specific inhibitors recently developed.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2021

Exploring the genetic ma(i)ze: Functional genomics can help molecular breeding of maize

Researchers used functional genomics to identify key genes involved in inducing callus from immature maize embryos, overcoming a major roadblock in plant breeding. The study found that nearly 30% of predicted A188 genes were structurally different from other maize lines, accounting for high protein divergence and phenotypic variations.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalThe Crop Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2021