Neural Organoids
Neural organoids are three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture systems derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). They self-organize into structures that recapitulate select cellular, molecular, and cytoarchitectural features of the developing human nervous system. These neural organoids provide a more physiologically relevant in vitro system than traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures for studying human neurodevelopment, disease mechanisms, and perturbations. They have important applications in studying:
- Human brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders, like autism
- Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy and related seizure disorders
- Neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia
- Motor neuron diseases, notably amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
We've curated these resources to support your work with neural organoids, and to give you a glimpse into how these 3D neural models are being used by scientists in the field of neuroscience.
Featured
Organoids: Experts Talk Standardization at Nature Research Round Table
Global organoid experts gathered in London, UK to discuss the current state of the technology, protocol standardization, translation into patient care, nomenclature, and understanding what questions a given organoid culture can and can't answer.
Read Now >Key Neural Organoid Publications
Neural Spheroids
Paşca AM et al. (2015) Functional cortical neurons and astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells in 3D culture. Nat Methods 12(7): 671–8.
Forebrain-Specific Organoids
Lancaster MA et al. (2017) Guided self-organization and cortical plate formation in human brain organoids. Nature Biotechnology 35(7): 659–66.
Birey F et al. (2017) Assembly of functionally integrated human forebrain spheroids. Nature 545(7652): 54–9.
Kadoshima T et al. (2013) Self-organization of axial polarity, inside-out layer pattern, and species-specific progenitor dynamics in human ES cell-derived neocortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110(50): 20284–9.
Eiraku M et al. (2008) Self-organized formation of polarized cortical tissues from ESCs and its active manipulation by extrinsic signals. Cell Stem Cell 3(5): 519–32.
Birey F et al. (2017) Assembly of functionally integrated human forebrain spheroids. Nature 545(7652): 54–9.
Kadoshima T et al. (2013) Self-organization of axial polarity, inside-out layer pattern, and species-specific progenitor dynamics in human ES cell-derived neocortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110(50): 20284–9.
Eiraku M et al. (2008) Self-organized formation of polarized cortical tissues from ESCs and its active manipulation by extrinsic signals. Cell Stem Cell 3(5): 519–32.
Pituitary-Specific Organoids
Suga H et al. (2011) Self-formation of functional adeno- hypophysis in three-dimensional culture. Nature 480(7375): 57-62.
Hypothalamus-Specific Organoids
Wataya T et al. (2008) Minimization of exogenous signals in ES cell culture induces rostral hypothalamic differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105(33): 11796–801.
Cerebellum-Specific Organoids
Mariani J et al. (2015) FOXG1-Dependent Dysregulation of GABA/Glutamate Neuron Differentiation in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Cell 162(2): 375–90.
Muguruma K et al. (2015) Self-organization of polarized cerebellar tissue in 3D culture of human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Rep 10(4): 537–50.
Muguruma K et al. (2010) Ontogeny-recapitulating generation and tissue integration of ES cell-derived Purkinje cells. Nat Neurosci 13(10): 1171–80.
Muguruma K et al. (2015) Self-organization of polarized cerebellar tissue in 3D culture of human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Rep 10(4): 537–50.
Muguruma K et al. (2010) Ontogeny-recapitulating generation and tissue integration of ES cell-derived Purkinje cells. Nat Neurosci 13(10): 1171–80.
Midbrain-Specific Organoids
Jo J et al. (2015) Midbrain-like organoids from human pluripotent stem cells contain functional dopaminergic and neuromelanin-producing neurons. Cell Stem Cell. 19(2): 248-57.
Retinal Spheroids
Zhu Y et al. (2013) Three-dimensional neuroepithelial culture from human embryonic stem cells and its use for quantitative conversion to retinal pigment epithelium. PLoS One 8(1): e54552.
Eiraku M et al. (2008) Self-organized formation of polarized cortical tissues from ESCs and its active manipulation by extrinsic signals. Cell Stem Cell 3(5): 519–32.
Eiraku M et al. (2008) Self-organized formation of polarized cortical tissues from ESCs and its active manipulation by extrinsic signals. Cell Stem Cell 3(5): 519–32.
Whole-Brain Organoids
Lancaster MA and JA Knoblich. (2014) Generation of cerebral organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Protoc 9(10):2329-40.
Lancaster MA et al. (2014) Organogenesis in a dish: modeling development and disease using organoid technologies. Science 345(6194): 1247125.
Lancaster MA et al. (2013) Cerebral organoids model human brain development and microcephaly. Nature 501(1): 373–9.
Lancaster MA et al. (2014) Organogenesis in a dish: modeling development and disease using organoid technologies. Science 345(6194): 1247125.
Lancaster MA et al. (2013) Cerebral organoids model human brain development and microcephaly. Nature 501(1): 373–9.
Zika Virus
Watanabe M et al. (2017) Self-Organized Cerebral Organoids with Human-Specific Features Predict Effective Drugs to Combat Zika Virus Infection. Cell Reports 21(2): 517–32.
Gabriel E et al. (2017) Recent Zika virus isolates induce premature differentiation of neural progenitors in human brain organoids. Cell Stem Cell 20(3): 397-406.
Cugola FR et al. (2016) The Brazilian Zika virus strain causes birth defects in experimental models. Nature 534(7606): 267–71.
Dang J et al. (2016) Zika virus depletes neural progenitors in human cerebral organoids through activation of the innate immune receptor TLR3. Cell Stem Cell 19(2): 258–65.
Garcez PP et al. (2016) Zika virus impairs growth in human neurospheres and brain organoids. Science 352(6287): 816–8.
Qian X et al. (2016) Brain-region-specific organoids using mini-bioreactors for modeling ZIKV exposure. Cell 165(5): 1238–54.
Lancaster MA et al. (2013) Cerebral organoids model human brain development and microcephaly. Nature 501(1): 373–9.
Gabriel E et al. (2017) Recent Zika virus isolates induce premature differentiation of neural progenitors in human brain organoids. Cell Stem Cell 20(3): 397-406.
Cugola FR et al. (2016) The Brazilian Zika virus strain causes birth defects in experimental models. Nature 534(7606): 267–71.
Dang J et al. (2016) Zika virus depletes neural progenitors in human cerebral organoids through activation of the innate immune receptor TLR3. Cell Stem Cell 19(2): 258–65.
Garcez PP et al. (2016) Zika virus impairs growth in human neurospheres and brain organoids. Science 352(6287): 816–8.
Qian X et al. (2016) Brain-region-specific organoids using mini-bioreactors for modeling ZIKV exposure. Cell 165(5): 1238–54.
Lancaster MA et al. (2013) Cerebral organoids model human brain development and microcephaly. Nature 501(1): 373–9.
Autism
Mariani J et al. (2015) FOXG1-dependent dysregulation of GABA/glutamate neuron differentiation in autism spectrum disorders. Cell 162(2): 375–90.
Other
Karzbrun E et al. (2018) Human brain organoids on a chip reveal the physics of folding. Nature Physics 14(5): 515-22.
Quadrato G et al. (2017) Cell diversity and network dynamics in photosensitive human brain organoids. Nature 545(7652): 48-53.
Quadrato G et al. (2017) Cell diversity and network dynamics in photosensitive human brain organoids. Nature 545(7652): 48-53.
