Growing mini-brains: how stem cells are helping us understand what makes us human

GROWING MINI BRAINS: HOW STEM CELLS ARE HELPING US UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES US HUMAN

Dr Mubeen Goolam, senior lecturer and principal investigator, Neuroscience Institute; Division of Cell Biology in the Human Biology Department, University of Cape Town

Friday 30 January  9.15 am  COURSE FEES R115; Staff and Students R58

This lecture is part of the Neuroscience Institute’s Hot Topics in Neuroscience series.

What if we could grow tiny models of the human brain in the lab, starting from just a few of our own cells? This lecture will explore how stem cells are unlocking this possibility through a groundbreaking technology known as brain organoids. These 3D structures are grown from lab-made stem cells, a special cell that can develop into any type of cell and helps to repair or grow new tissues. Brain organoids mimic early brain development and are changing the way researchers study human biology, evolution and neural diseases. This lecture will take participants on a journey from the basics of stem cell science to the futuristic world of lab-grown mini brains. It will cover how scientists are able to generate stem cells in the lab, coax these cells into forming organoids, and how these organoids compare to real brains. It will also discuss what these models can (and can’t) tell us. Finally, the lecture will examine how this research is helping researchers understand brain disorders better and how it is paving the way for novel treatment approaches.

Health professionals can earn CPD points for this lecture.

TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/performance.aspx?itemid=1575449225