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High power magnification of a neuronal network in a BENO. Axons are highlighted by staining of Neurofilament protein in green, glutamatergic neurons by staining of the Vesicular Glutamate Transporter protein in red and nuclei labelled in blue. The study by Zafeiriou et al. demonstrated for the first time that functional neuronal networks with properties of the human brain can be bioengineered from induced pluripotent stem cells at the macroscopic tissue scale. Network formation is key for normal brain function, including learning, and is compromised in disease such as epilepsia, dementia, or stroke. Figures from Zafeiriou et al. (2020) GABA polarity switch and neuronal plasticity in Bioengineered Neuronal Organoids. Nat Commun, 11, 3791.

High power magnification of a neuronal network in a BENO. Axons are highlighted by staining of Neurofilament protein in green, glutamatergic neurons by staining of the Vesicular Glutamate Transporter protein in red and nuclei labelled in blue. The study by Zafeiriou et al. demonstrated for the first time that functional neuronal networks with properties of the human brain can be bioengineered from induced pluripotent stem cells at the macroscopic tissue scale. Network formation is key for normal brain function, including learning, and is compromised in disease such as epilepsia, dementia, or stroke. Figures from Zafeiriou et al. (2020) GABA polarity switch and neuronal plasticity in Bioengineered Neuronal Organoids. Nat Commun, 11, 3791.