So far, organoids have grown in small spherical structures in which they organize themselves. This has a disadvantage: with an increasing size the cells inside the sphere are no longer adequately supplied with nutrients and oxygen and may die off.

In the new approach of the IMBA research group led by Prof Jürgen Knoblich, the models grow biotechnologically supported with polymer filaments in the nutrient medium in elongated, disc-shaped structures that are even more similar to the embryonic brain in an growing embryo. The new models are called engineered Cortical Organoids (enCORs). In this production process they are able to retain their typical self-organization. The new models create themselves are even more uniform than they had done with conventional methods. The settings of the enCORs can be reproduced very well in the laboratory. The study of the development of the human brain and its disturbances is even better possible.

Original Publication:
Madeline A. Lancaster, Nina S. Corsini, Simone Wolfinger, E. Hilary Gustafson, Alex Phillips, Thomas R. Burkard, Tomoki Otani, Frederick J. Livesey, Juergen A. Knoblich (2017): Guided self-organization and cortical plate formation in human brain organoids. Nature Biotechnology, doi: 10.1038 / nbt.3906

Source:
https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20170531_OTS0025/organoide-mit-rueckgrat-die-naechste-generation-der-gehirnmodelle-aus-dem-labor?asbox=box1&asboxpos=1

Press photos here:
http://de.imba.oeaw.ac.at/index.php?id=516