Engineering brain assembloids to interrogate human neural circuits
2022
Stanford University, Stanford, USA
Studying the developmental processes of neural circuits in the human nervous system remains difficult due to the limited availability of tissue that can be maintained functional in vitro for extended periods of time. In this protocol, we describe approaches to model long-distance neuronal connectivity in human brain assembloids. We show how 3D spheroids resembling specific areas of the nervous system are generated, and how they are then physically integrated to enable axonal projections and synaptic connections. In addition, a series of experiments are described, including viral labelling and retrograde tracking, live 3D imaging of axon projection, and optogenetics combined with calcium imaging and electrophysiological recordings to probe and manipulate circuitry in the assembloids. The approaches described may be useful in deciphering human-specific aspects of neuronal circuit assembly and in modelling neurodevelopmental disorders with patient-derived cells.
Engineering brain assembloids to interrogate human neural circuits
Sergiu P. Paşca
Added on: 09-12-2022
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41596-021-00632-z
