UCSF

Key PointsOrganoid models provide an opportunity to model the unique features of human brain development in a complex tissue-like environment.The intrinsic patterning of whole brain organoids in intrinsic organoid protocols promotes the generation of diverse brain regions.Signalling molecules can be used to mimic in vivo patterning and increase the efficiency of directed differentiation in comparison to the intrinsic patterning of regional brain organoids.There are a number of advantages of an in vitro system for experimentation purposes, including the relative ease of genomic manipulation and the possibility of using patient-derived cell lines.Human brain organoids can model human development and shed light on human-specific diseases.Protocols will benefit from systematic analysis of cell types generated and a robust comparison to in vivo counterparts.Pre-patterned, region-specific organoids can be fused to model complex brain structures.Current organoid protocols still face a number of limitations, including low reproducibility, incomplete cell type diversity and slow maturation.