Brain Organoids
Brain organoids are 3D tissue models representing one or more regions of the brain. They can overcome the shortcomings of conventional post-mortem and animal brain models to produce clinically relevant results.
Brain organoids are derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). When cultured with the appropriate media containing the combination of signaling factors, the stem cells differentiate into various neural cells that mature over time to resemble structures of brain regions such as the forebrain (cerebral) or mid-brain.
Cerebral organoids have great potential for understanding brain development and neuronal diseases. They can also be used for investigating genetic disorders and the effects of compounds. Nevertheless, capturing the uniqueness of the human brain requires functional assays and high-content imaging systems.
Methods for monitoring and developing cerebral organoids
Here we describe the methods for monitoring iPSC-derived 3D cerebral organoids and testing their functional activity by recording and analyzing calcium oscillations. Brightfield imaging with artificial intelligence (AI)-based segmentation can help monitor the quality of developing organoids by tracking the growth in diameter and shape. The neuronal activity of brain organoids can be determined from calcium activity. Confocal imaging reveals calcium activity to determine the maturity of the neurons. Furthermore, the cellular organization can be monitored via confocal imaging with differential staining.
Featured scientific poster: Monitoring organoid development and characterization of calcium oscillation activities in iPSC-derived 3D cerebral organoid
Cerebral organoids were developed from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) using established methods. Over a period of 4-12 weeks of development, we monitored the size and morphology of the developing brain microtissues using our AI-based analysis tools, IN Carta® Image Analysis Software, for defining the size and shape of the tissues. Selected microtissues were analyzed by confocal imaging during different phases of development for cell organization and expression of neuronal markers. For detection of functional activities, organoids were loaded with calcium-sensitive dye, and then Ca2+ oscillations were recorded with the ImageXpress® Confocal HT.ai High-Content Imaging System. We show that high-content imaging paired with AI-based analysis used with 3D cerebral organoids is a promising tool for compound screens and toxicity evaluations.
Calcium imaging of whole brain organoids – Starting from week 4, we observed calcium activity in cerebral organoid loaded with FLIPR Calcium 6 dye. (top-right). Frequency of calcium activity was low, suggesting that the neurons in the organoid at that time were still immature. By week 13, the calcium activity appeared more synchronous, suggesting that neurons are interconnected in a functional network (bottom-right).
More great resources
Learn how high-content imaging and analysis tools can improve the accuracy of your cerebral organoid studies:
Resources for Brain Organoids
Blog
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
SLAS2022, the Society for Lab Automation and Screening conference offered another exciting year for learning about innovative laboratory technologies. Whether you attended in-person…
Scientific Poster
Automation of 3D organoid culture workflow with deep-learning based image analysis
Automation of 3D organoid culture workflow with deep-learning based image analysis
3D cell culture as a model system is increasingly popular because it recapitulates the in vivo microenvironment better than 2D cell cultures. Organoids have the capacity for stable different…
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Blog
History of Organoid Research: From Sponge Cells to Functional Organs
History of Organoid Research: From Sponge Cells to Functional Organs
Let's begin with a simple definition of an organoid which refers to a three-dimensional assembly that contains multiple cell types that are arranged with realistic histology, at…
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Blog
Stem cell science insights and breakthroughs presented at #ISSCR2021
Stem cell science insights and breakthroughs presented at #ISSCR2021
If you didn't get a chance to visit us at our poster sessions during ISSCR 2021, don’t fret. We've gathered all our sessions right here for you. The ISSCR Annual Meeting brought…
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Scientific Poster
Monitoring organoid development and characterization of calcium oscillation activities in iPSC-derived 3D cerebral organoids
Monitoring organoid development and characterization of calcium oscillation activities in iPSC-derived 3D cerebral organoids
Cerebral organoids are a rapidly developing technology that has great potential for understanding brain development and neuronal diseases. They can also be used for testing effects of compou…
Publications
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
Project Profile: Organoid Innovation Center
Lab Manager speaks to Dan O’Connor, vice president, drug discovery, Molecular Devices, about the company’s Organoid Innovation Center in San Jose, CA. The center is 180 sq. ft., within a lar…
Application Note
Functional evaluation of neurotoxic and neuroactive compound effects in iPSC-derived 3D neural co-cultures
Functional evaluation of neurotoxic and neuroactive compound effects in iPSC-derived 3D neural co-cultures
There is increasing interest in using more complex, biologically-relevant, and predictive cell-based platforms for assay development and compound screening.
Customer Breakthrough
StemoniX uses three of our solutions to validate their microBrain 3D Assay Ready Plates
StemoniX uses three of our solutions to validate their microBrain 3D Assay Ready Plates
Current models available to neuroscience researchers have limitations that hamper the development of new medicines. Complex models, such as post-mortem brains and animal models, more closely…
Videos & Webinars
Application and Analysis of Organoid Systems
StemoniX microBrain 3D Assay Ready Plates for HTS
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