Tiny human brains are being grown by Singapore scientists
A big leap on the research on ‘mini-brain’ has been made by scientists in Singapore as they grow advanced mini human midbrains to help researchers develop treatments and conduct studies into Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other ageing-related brain diseases.
The human midbrain, as the information superhighway, controls auditory, eye movements, vision and body movements. It contains special dopaminergic neurons that produce dopamine – which carries out significant roles in executive functions, motor control, motivation, reinforcement, and reward. High levels of dopamine elevate motor activity and impulsive behavior, whereas low levels of dopamine lead to slowed reactions and disorders like PD, which is characterized by stiffness and difficulties in initiating movements.
The mini midbrain versions that the scientists are growing are three-dimensional miniature tissues that are grown in the laboratory and they have certain properties of specific parts of the human brains. This is the first time that the black pigment neuromelanin has been detected in an organoid model. The study also revealed functionally active dopaminergic neurons.
A dramatic reduction in neuromelanin production also causes PD, leading to the degenerative condition of patients, which includes tremors and impaired motor skills.
Using stem cells, scientists have grown pieces of tissue, known as brain organoids, measuring about 2 to 3 mm long. These organoids contain the necessary hallmarks of the human midbrain, which are dopaminergic neurons and neuromelanin. The creation of these mini midbrains is a key breakthrough for studies in PD, which affects an estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide.
Researchers now have access to the material that is affected in the disease itself, and different types of studies can be conducted in the laboratory instead of through simulations or on animals.
Prof. Tan Eng King, Research Director and Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology at NNI and Lead PI of the National Medical Research Council’s Translational Clinical Research (TCR) Programme In PD, remarked, “The human brain is arguably the most complex organ and chronic brain diseases pose considerable challenges to doctors and patients. This achievement by our Singapore team represents an initial but momentous scientific landmark as we continue to strive for better therapies for our patients.”
This project is jointly led by Prof. Ng Huck Hui from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Assistant Prof. Shawn Je from Duke-NUS Medical School, with the collaboration of the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI). Other collaborators are from the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the Nanyang Technological University.