Scientists have grown functional, brain-like tissue without using animal materials or animal coatings. They used a new scaffold (a support material) made mostly from polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG usually does not let cells stick without added proteins, so the team reshaped it into a porous matrix so cells can attach and grow.
To make the porous scaffold, researchers flowed water, ethanol, and PEG through glass capillaries and used a flash of light to fix the structure. The pores let oxygen and nutrients reach donated stem cells. The tissue can show donor-specific neural activity and may help test drugs for brain diseases while reducing the need for animal brains in research.
Difficult words
- scaffold — a support structure for cells or materials
- polyethylene glycol — a lab chemical used to make support material
- porous — having many small holes that let things pass
- matrix — a material that supports cells or other structures
- stem cell — a cell that can become different cell typesstem cells
- capillary — a very small blood vessel in the bodycapillaries
- neural activity — electrical signals in brain cells
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could lab-grown brain-like tissue help scientists who test drugs?
- Do you think reducing the need for animal brains in research is good? Why?
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