Scientists are using organoids, miniature versions of mammary glands grown in a lab, to explore the evolution of milk production across diverse mammal species. These 3D models offer insights into tissue regeneration, breast cancer development, and the biology of lactation, paving the way for advancements in medicine and agriculture.
A new study using miniature brain models grown from the stem cells of toddlers with autism has uncovered a potential link between the severity of autism symptoms and accelerated brain growth during early development. The study, published in the journal ‘Nature,’ found that brain organoids from toddlers with autism grew significantly faster than those from toddlers without the disorder, and this excessive growth was associated with more severe social symptoms. The research also identified a gene, Ndel1, that may play a role in this accelerated growth.
Scientists have created miniature models of the human brain that include the organ’s protective blood-brain barrier (BBB). The models, which are about the size of a sesame seed, could be used to study neurological diseases and develop new treatments.
