- Scientists grow functional brain-like tissue without animal-derived materials.
- The research team works at the University of California, Riverside.
- Iman Noshadi leads the project as a bioengineering professor.
- Prince David Okoro is the study's lead author and researcher.
- The team makes the scaffold mainly from polyethylene glycol (PEG).
- They reshape PEG into a porous, textured matrix for cells.
- Donor stem cells attach, grow and form active neural networks.
- The scaffold is about two millimeters wide and being scaled.
Difficult words
- tissue — Cells that make a part of the body
- scaffold — A structure that supports cells to grow
- polyethylene glycol — A common material used to make lab structures
- stem cell — A basic cell that can make other cellsstem cells
- donor — A person or source that gives cells or tissue
- neural network — A group of brain cells that work togetherneural networks
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you like to learn about cells?
- Have you ever visited a university lab?
- Would you like to work in a lab?
Related articles
Tanzania fights rabies with mass dog vaccination
Tanzania is working to stop human rabies by vaccinating dogs, improving surveillance and keeping vaccines cold. High vaccine costs, remote villages and lack of electricity remain challenges, but local and international efforts are growing.
AI coach helps medical students learn suturing
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed an explainable AI tool that gives immediate text feedback to medical students practicing suturing. A small randomized study found faster learning for students with prior experience; beginners showed less benefit.
Eco-friendly Kilns Help Malawi’s Fish Curers Cut Losses
This article discusses how new kilns help fish curers in Malawi reduce their losses and improve fish processing.
Two types of microglia control anxiety in mice
Researchers at the University of Utah found two different microglia types in the brain that can cause or prevent anxiety in mice. The work suggests new ways to think about treatments, but therapies are not near-term.
AI weather forecasts help India's farmers
US scientists say AI-enhanced monsoon forecasts in India reached 38 million farmers this summer using a model called NeuralGCM. The project will expand to many more countries and aims to improve seasonal forecasts and farming decisions.
AI Challenges: Media Calls for Support from China
Media leaders from developing countries have asked a Chinese journalist group for help against fake news created by AI technology.