Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are being utilized to develop advanced in vitro models of rare neurodevelopmental disorders to uncover disease-specific molecular, structural, and functional abnormalities. Notably, brain-region-specific forebrain organoids and assembloids are being generated from hiPSCs derived from patients with Rett syndrome and RASopathies. These cutting-edge models will also facilitate the evaluation of drug candidates aimed at rescuing impaired neuronal functions. In addition, advanced 3D cardiovascular microtissues are being engineered from hiPSCs to model heart development, investigate cardiac diseases, and perform toxicology assessments. As a major highlight, it was created a self-organized, multilineage hPSC-derived organoid that replicates the early developmental stages of key heart and liver structures. Strikingly, co-culture with myocardium organoids has led to the development of novel, self-organized epicardium-myocardium heart organoids, providing a groundbreaking model for studying heart development and function.
Stem Cell Advanced Tissue Models Laboratory
