Generating specific brain organoids using a spinning bioreactor

Since several years hiPSCs have developed as one of the important technique for modeling diseases arising because of various complicated genetic traits. But with developing trends some research in stem cell have resulted in development of three-dimensional tissue structures that can be used for transplanting in the specific organ regions. Brain organoids are such 3D structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells that can be assembled together to form an organ resembling human fetal brain.

This has made many researchers to get involved in developing techniques and tools for developing brain organoids that can be used for replacing parts of human brains that are malfunctioning. Although use of spinning bioreactors can be used for growth of large organoids but the commercial bioreactors are very bulky and give a very low output. Thus, developing a small and compatible spinning bioreactor for growing organoids became an important field. This leads Xuyu Qian et al, to develop a miniature multiwell spinning bioreactor by using 3D printed parts and hardware that were available commercially. Their study has been published in Nature Protocols in February 2018. This protocol will also give an idea how to use this bioreactor for growing organoids for forebrain, midbrain and hypothalamus. These organoids in turn help in modelling of brain disorders and compound testing.