Scientists grow 3D human brains for personalized medicine study

MIT scientists have developed a novel 3D human brain tissue model called Multicellular Integrated Brains (miBrains), which replicates the brain’s full cellular complexity for personalized medicine research. Smaller than a dime, each miBrain integrates the six major brain cell types—including neurons, glial cells, and vascular structures—into a living model that self-organizes into functional units such as blood vessels and a working blood-brain barrier. Derived from patient-specific stem cells, miBrains enable researchers to create personalized brain models reflecting individual genetic backgrounds, offering a more accurate and scalable alternative to traditional cell cultures and animal models. The development of miBrains involved engineering a hydrogel-based “neuromatrix” that mimics the brain’s natural environment and supports cell growth and function. This modular platform allows precise control over cellular composition and genetic editing, facilitating detailed studies of neurological diseases and drug responses. In initial experiments, the researchers used miBrains to investigate the APOE4 gene variant, a major genetic risk factor