So far brain organoids are minuscule, the largest to date only about four millimetres in diameter and containing just two to three million cells, the group writes. The grafted human brain tissue settled into the mice brains, sprouting new neurons that fired in synchronized patterns. But researchers are also working on more complex and organized assemblies known as SHEEFS — synthetic human entities with embryo-like features. Currently, researchers who want to experiment on human embryos have to rely on leftover embryos donated by couples that have undergone IVF. And it’s by no means assured this would work with human cells, Aach said.

Source: National Post April 29, 2018 19:07 UTC