Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (10): 4886-4887.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-01296

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Overcoming diffusion limits to advance brain organoids

Xuyu Qian*   

  1. Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 
    Center for Brain Research Initiative in Development, Genetics, and Engineering, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 
    Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • Online:2026-10-15 Published:2026-06-13
  • Contact: Xuyu Qian, PhD, qianx@chop.edu.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the Pathway to Independence Award from the NINDS (4R00NS135123-02) (to XQ).

Abstract: Human pluripotent stem cell–derived brain organoids have become a central tool for modeling human neurodevelopment. Compared to traditional in vitro systems, brain organoids are distinguished by their ability to allow cells to self-organize and follow intrinsic developmental programs, thereby dynamically recapitulating aspects of in vivo brain development. Cerebral cortex organoids, for instance, can robustly mimic many features of human brain formation during mid-gestation. However, current methodologies remain largely restricted to modeling processes that occur prior to the late second trimester.