Researchers at a major U.S. university have advanced brain research by 3D printing living tissue that mimics the cortex and striatum. The work aims to illuminate how these brain regions function in health and disease, including conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The study adds a new dimension to neuroscience by creating a manipulable model of brain tissue that can be studied outside the human body.
To achieve this, scientists used a specialized bioink derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. This material was engineered to be dense enough to form the three-dimensional framework of brain tissue while still supporting the growth and connectivity of neurons. A key technology employed in the process is horizontal printing, a method that deviates from traditional layered printing by arranging biologic materials in a way that more closely resembles how cells assemble in living tissue.
The researchers specifically built models of the cerebral cortex and the striatum. The cortex is central to higher-order brain functions such as perception, decision-making, and complex thought. The striatum contributes significantly to the regulation of movement and also plays a role in planning, motivation, and reward processing. By combining these regions in a single printed model, the study captures a broader spectrum of neural communication patterns and network dynamics. The resulting tissue demonstrates interconnected neural networks that mirror the intricate signaling pathways found in the human brain, offering a powerful platform for examining how brain circuits operate and how they change in disease states.
This approach helps researchers probe questions about neural connectivity, synaptic development, and the progression of neurological disorders with a level of control and repeatability that is difficult to achieve in living organisms. By experimenting with the printed tissue, scientists can observe how networks respond to potential drugs, genetic modifications, or environmental factors, thereby accelerating the discovery of treatments and interventions.
In a related historical note, there have been other biological innovations in diverse fields. For instance, a separate effort in agricultural science explored soil restoration through a fertilizer derived from organic bird droppings. While this topic lies outside neurobiology, it reflects the broader interest in creating biological solutions that improve system health and performance in different contexts.