Novel Neurovascular Organoid Generation from Autologous Blood

Context:

Advancements in neural organoid technology offer significant insights into brain development, function, and disease modeling. However, existing models often lack vascularization, a critical aspect for mimicking physiological conditions.

Relevance:

GS-03 (Science and technology)

Present Study:

  • Researchers at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, PGIMER, Chandigarh, have developed a groundbreaking approach to generate self-organizing neurovascular organoids/embryoids (NVOEs) solely from autologous blood, without genetic manipulation or morphogen supplementation.
  • This innovative method produces functional vascularized embryoids without the need for specialized media or growth factors.

Implications:

  • This pioneering research holds vast implications for understanding neurological diseases, neuroregeneration, and preclinical neuroimaging.
  • It enables the development of patient-specific models for congenital neurosensory and neurodegenerative diseases like Autism, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, facilitating precision medicine.
  • Additionally, it offers opportunities for deciphering genetics, testing drug efficacy, and identifying biomarkers for early disease detection.

Funding:

  • The research was supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF-erstwhile SERB), highlighting its significance in advancing scientific understanding and clinical applications in neuroscience.

Neural Organoids:

  • Neural organoids, also known as cerebral organoids, are three-dimensional in vitro culture systems derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs).
  • These miniature brain models mimic the developmental processes and organization of the human brain, offering valuable insights into neurological development and disorders unique to the human nervous system. They find applications in studying conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and brain defects associated with Zika virus infection.