For the first time, a team of scientists has successfully created a 3D-printed brain tissue capable of growing and functioning like typical brain tissue. This achievement holds significant promise for advancing research on the brain and developing treatments for various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Professor Su-Chun Zhang, a neuroscience and neurology expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States, expressed the potential impact of this breakthrough, stating, “This could be a hugely powerful model to help us understand how brain cells and parts of the brain communicate in humans. It could change the way we look at stem cell biology, neuroscience, and the pathogenesis of many neurological and psychiatric disorders.”
Unlike traditional 3D-printing methods that stack layers vertically, the researchers opted for a horizontal approach. They placed brain cells, specifically neurons generated from induced pluripotent stem cells, in a softer “bio-ink” gel. This gel provided enough structure to hold the tissue together while being soft enough for neurons to grow into each other, establishing connections and communication.
Zhang explained the unique technique, comparing it to pencils laid next to each other on a tabletop. The printed cells not only formed connections within each layer but also across layers, creating intricate networks resembling human brains. The neurons exhibited communication, signal transmission, interaction through neurotransmitters, and the formation of networks with added support cells within the 3D-printed tissue.
The experiment involved printing the cerebral cortex and the striatum, revealing impressive results. Zhang highlighted the capability of different cells from various parts of the brain to communicate with each other in a distinct and specific manner.
This innovative printing technique offers unprecedented precision, allowing control over cell types and arrangements not achievable with brain organoids, the miniature organs commonly used for brain studies. Unlike organoids, which grow with less organization and control, the 3D-printed tissue doesn’t require specialized bio-printing equipment or complex culturing methods, making it accessible for in-depth study using standard imaging techniques, microscopes, and common electrodes in the field.