Science

By Nicoletta Lanese
published 28 February 2023

Brain organoids, or minibrains, contain human tissues and have potential uses in basic research, drug development and computer science.



Brain organoids are essentially lab-grown minibrains that mimic structural and functional features of full-size brains. (Image credit: Pasca Lab, Stanford University)

In the past decade, lab-grown blobs of human brain tissue began making news headlines, as they ushered in a new era of scientific discovery and raised a slew of ethical questions.

These blobs — scientifically known as brain organoids, but often called "minibrains" in the news — serve as miniature, simplified models of full-size human brains. These organoids can potentially be useful in basic research, drug development and even computer science.

However, as scientists make these models more sophisticated, there's a question as to whether they could ever become too similar to human brains and thus gain consciousness, in some form or another.

How are minibrains made?
Scientists grow brain organoids from stem cells, a type of immature cell that can give rise to any cell type, whether blood, skin, bowel or brain.

More:
https://www.livescience.com/minibrains-brain-organoids-explained