Japanese researchers reported this week that they successfully created functioning human brain tissue from stem cells, a world first. Until now, scientists were able to make different types of brain cells from stem cells, but never cells that formed cohesive, functioning tissues. The researchers at the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe said their new tissues are able to self-organize into four distinct zones very similar to the structure seen in human fetuses, and conduct neuro activity such as transmitting electrical signals among themselves. This breakthrough is important because the creation of functional tissues to serve as “mini organs” for research will allow us to study brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinsons, more extensively and perhaps, someday, without the need for research animals.
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
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