A team of scientists, led by Masaya Hagiwara from the RIKEN national science institute in Japan, has unveiled a groundbreaking technique that could revolutionise the creation of 3D organoids for medical research and development. This innovative method involves using layers of hydrogels within cube-like structures to construct intricate organoids, bypassing the need for complex and resource-intensive techniques, Sci Tech Daily reported in August 10.
Organoids, which are tissue-like structures cultivated in laboratories, hold immense potential for drug testing, gaining insights into tissue development, and advancing artificial organ growth. However, the challenge has been to replicate the complex, natural 3D patterns of biological development in lab-grown organoids.
Traditional approaches involve either growing cells in homogenous conditions or using advanced technologies like 3D printing or microfluidics, which require specialised equipment and skills. The new technique developed by Hagiwara's team offers a simpler yet innovative approach that spatially controls the cellular environment using hydrogel-filled cubes.
The method hinges on confining different hydrogels, each with distinct physical and chemical properties, within cube-shaped culture vessels. By using a pipette to introduce these hydrogels, the team was able to maintain their positions based on surface tension. Cells were then added to the cubes, either individually within the hydrogels or as pellets that could migrate between layers, resulting in a diverse array of tissue types.
The scientific achievement extends beyond construction. In a separate paper published in Communications Biology, the team demonstrated their ability to recreate the complex process of body-axis patterning, a crucial factor in vertebrate development. This patterning—characterised by differentiation into head/rear and back/stomach sections—had proved elusive to replicate in the laboratory setting.
The researchers harnessed their hydrogel cube-based approach to recreate this essential patterning process. Using a mould cap, they strategically seeded induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) within a cube and exposed them to a gradient of two distinct growth factors. The successful execution of this technique by individuals with varying levels of expertise—ranging from lab assistants to junior high school students—underscored its simplicity and accessibility.
Hagiwara expressed excitement about the implications of their discoveries, highlighting how this new system could facilitate rapid and accurate recreation of organoids mirroring natural developmental processes. This breakthrough not only opens avenues for diverse researchers to explore various organoid types but also holds the potential to contribute to the creation of functional artificial organs for medical applications.
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