Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do stem-cell-grown organoids help scientists study human organs and diseases?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Diagram showing the locations of neural stem cells in brain regions such as the hippocampus and ventricles, and hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and blood, with labeled illustrations of the brain, spinal cord, circulatory system, and skeleton. — stem cell Stem cells of neural and hematopoietic origin have tremendous potential in the development of therapies for certain diseases, such as diabetes and Parkinson disease. Neural stem cells occur in the spinal cord and in specific regions of the brain, and hematopoietic stem cells occur in the blood and bone marrow.

Scientists use stem cells to grow miniature, three-dimensional models of human organs known as organoids. These laboratory-grown structures are essential tools for advancing biomedical research in several key ways:1

Disease Modeling: Organoids allow researchers to investigate the underlying causes of genetic diseases and observe how cancers and viruses impact human tissues.1
Personalized Research: By utilizing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from a patient's own cells, scientists can create models that carry the individual's specific genetic mutations. This enables the study of disease mechanisms unique to that patient and the investigation of personalized treatment options.21
Drug Development: Organoids serve as platforms for screening and testing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs before they reach clinical trials.21
Developmental Biology: These models provide a controlled environment to observe human development and tissue formation.1

By providing a human-relevant system, organoids help bridge the gap between basic laboratory findings and clinical applications, ultimately supporting the development of regenerative medicine.21