Knoblich describes experiments in his lab to develop 3 dimensional brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. While studying the development of rodent brains has proved extremely useful, there are some important developmental differences that require human tissue for investigation. In addition, some diseases such as microcephaly cannot be modeled in mice. Knoblich and his colleagues have developed cerebral organoids that mimic early human brain development and can be used to model neurodevelopmental disorders. They have also been able to generate separate organoids from various regions of the human brain and then fuse them and follow the migration of live neurons between these parts, opening the path to many more studies of neuronal development.
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Asymmetric Cell Division and Brain Development
Asymmetric cell division (in which two different daughter cells are formed) is critical during human brain development. Dr. Knoblich explains how the fate of each daughter cell is determined. (Talk recorded in May 2017)
- Part 1: Asymmetric Cell Division; From Drosophila to HumansAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 00:32:22 - Part 2: Asymmetric Cell Division; From Drosophila to HumansAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 00:30:00