StarTalk Radio Assembloids: Recreating the Brain with Sergiu Paşca
May 2, 2025
Sergiu Pașca, a Stanford neuroscientist and stem cell biologist, explores groundbreaking concepts in neuroscience. He discusses assembloids—self-organizing brain circuits that offer insights into brain function and conditions like autism. The conversation dives into the development of cultured brain cells and their unique 'brain clock.' Ethical considerations in psychiatric research and the potential for CRISPR technology are also examined. Pașca emphasizes the importance of these innovations in understanding mental health and advancing treatments.
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Understanding Organoids
- Organoids are 3D clumps of cells cultured to resemble aspects of human organs. - They model parts and functions of organs but are not exact replicas.
Cells Keep Developmental Time
- Cells in brain organoids follow an intrinsic developmental clock independent of the body. - This intrinsic timing reflects species-specific gestation periods and is encoded within the cells.
Neurons Crawl to Connect
- In assembloid experiments, inhibitory neurons crawl long distances to find excitatory neurons, mimicking brain development. - These dynamic cell movements recreate the natural assembly of the cerebral cortex circuits.