Scientists at the University of Oxford (Oxford,UK;www.ox.ac.uk) have achieved a breakthrough by successfully 3D printing neural cells that replicate the cerebral cortex’s structure-a development that could soon enable tailored repairs for individuals with brain injuries.
The scientists created a two-layered brain tissue by 3D printing human neural stem cells.
These printed cells showed promising integration when implanted into slices of mouse brain,both structurally and functionally.Beyond their potential for treating brain injuries, these engineered tissues could be valuable for drug testing, understanding brain development, and shedding light on the foundations of cognitive processes.