Researchers led by Professor Nikolaus Rajewsky, Director of the Max Delbrück Center Institute for Medical Systems Biology (MDC-BIMSB) in Berlin, have developed a new technology that allows them to influence and observe developing cells in organoids. To do this, they have combined spatial transcriptomics with optogenetics. Using this technology, they are able to control gene expression in cells. In one project, the scientists observed the development of the human nervous system and gained interesting insights.

In order to develop organ-like systems, undifferentiated stem cells are usually brought together with growth factors and nutrient solution in the hope that all organ-typical cell types will form from them in the same arrangement as they occur in the organ. Until now, however, it has been virtually impossible to influence this process. With their new technology, the researchers can now trigger this process and observe it in spatial and temporal resolution.

The technology is described in the journal Nature Methods:
Legnini I, Emmenegger L, Zappulo A, Rybak-Wolf A, Wurmus R, Martinez AO, Jara CC, Boltengagen A, Hessler T, Mastrobuoni G, Kempa S, Zinzen R, Woehler A, Rajewsky N. (2023). Spatiotemporal, optogenetic control of gene expression in organoids. Nat Methods. 2023 Oct;20(10):1544-1552. doi: 10.1038/s41592-023-01986-w. Epub 2023, Sep 21.

Source and more information here:
https://www.mdc-berlin.de/de/news/press/organoide-mit-licht-gestalten