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Updated: May 3, 2026
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Generation of Standardized and Reproducible Forebrain-type Cerebral Organoids from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: January 23, 2018
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The new frontier in understanding human and mammalian brain development
Tomasz J Nowakowski1,2,3,4,5,6, Patricia R Nano7, Katherine S Matho8,9
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. Tomasz.nowakowski@ucsf.edu.
Nature
|November 5, 2025
Summary
Cell atlases of the developing brain reveal novel cell populations and developmental patterns across species. This research advances understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and precision medicine.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders affect 15% of children globally, with rising autism and ADHD diagnoses causing significant economic burden.
- The underlying mechanisms of these disorders remain poorly understood, hindering therapeutic advancements.
- Comprehensive cell atlases of developing brains are emerging as powerful tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight recent studies utilizing cell atlases of developing human and model organism brains.
- To explore how these atlases enhance understanding of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
- To outline future directions for brain development research and precision medicine.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of high-resolution gene expression, cell-type abundance, and spatial distribution data from brain cell atlases.
- Cross-species comparison of cell genesis, migration, and maturation patterns.
- Integration of multimodal and whole-brain data across developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Identification of novel developmental cell populations in the brain.
- Revealed conserved and divergent patterns of cell development across species (human, mouse, non-human primate).
- Initiated testing of hypotheses linking developmental processes to transcriptional control and complex behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Brain cell atlases provide critical insights into the origins and mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Further cross-species and multimodal integration will deepen understanding of brain development and disease vulnerability.
- These atlases are essential for advancing precision medicine and developing novel therapies.
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