Brain Organoid Modeling Services

Brain organoids, often termed "mini-brains", are self-organizing 3D tissue models derived from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These structures recapitulate key aspects of human brain development, architecture, and function, offering unprecedented opportunities to study neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and drug responses in a human-specific context.

At Creative Biolabs, we don't just provide services; we deliver solutions. We offer a comprehensive suite of pioneering brain organoid services, including exquisitely crafted region-specific models and customized solutions meticulously tailored to propel your academic research forward.

Explore Our Brain Organoid Models

Our platform offers a cutting-edge portfolio of brain organoid models, designed to push the boundaries of neuroscience research. We provide both comprehensive whole brain organoids, which replicate global neural architecture, and precisely targeted region-specific organoids, focusing on critical brain areas. Each model is meticulously engineered to mirror the cellular diversity, functional connectivity, and structural fidelity of native brain tissue.

The creation of our brain organoids employs two distinct, yet complementary, methodologies. Firstly, we utilize an unguided approach, allowing for the self-organization of organoids that exhibit multiple regional identities, mirroring the natural complexity of brain development. Secondly, our guided approach strategically employs step-wise, time-dependent exogenous signaling to promote the acquisition of specific regional identities, enabling focused studies on particular brain structures. This dual-faceted approach ensures that our models cater to a wide range of research needs, from broad developmental studies to highly targeted investigations.

Embark on a journey of discovery. Click below to explore our diverse range and see how our tailored organoid models can accelerate your research.

The Compelling Advantages of Brain Organoids

• Unparalleled Recapitulation of Human Brain Cell Type Diversity

Our brain organoids stand as a testament to scientific advancement, uniquely and faithfully replicating the complete spectrum of human neural cells, including highly specialized neurons and intricate glial cells. This remarkable capability provides superior cellular complexity, a stark contrast to simplified monolayer cultures and the inherent limitations of species-specific animal models.

• Preservation of Natural Spatial Segregation of Progenitors and Postmitotic Progeny

Witness the beauty of natural brain development unfold. Our brain organoids meticulously preserve the vital spatial organization of neural progenitor cells and their differentiated progeny (postmitotic neurons). This groundbreaking feature empowers the in-depth study of critical developmental processes, such as cortical layering, a complexity entirely absent in traditional 2D systems.

• Empowering Functional Screening of Disease-Associated Genes

Unleash the power of precision medicine. Our organoids provide a robust platform for direct manipulation and detailed observation of disease-related gene functions through the revolutionary CRISPR editing technology. This capability deftly overcomes the genetic mismatch limitations that have long hindered neurological disorder research in animal models.

• Accelerating Discovery Through High-Throughput Therapeutic Screening

Step into an era of accelerated therapeutic discovery. The standardized 3D structure of our organoids streamlines automated drug testing platforms, enabling the simultaneous evaluation of vast libraries of neuroactive compounds. This high-throughput capability, with its unparalleled human relevance, far surpasses the limitations of traditional animal trials.

The Vast Applications of Brain Organoids

Brain organoids bridge the gap between animal models and human trials. Key applications include:

1. Disease Modeling

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Unravel the mysteries of autism spectrum disorders using our precisely engineered cortical organoids, featuring SHANK3 or CHD8 mutations.
  • Confront the challenges of microcephaly by utilizing our comprehensive whole brain organoids to model the devastating effects of Zika virus infection.
• Neurodegeneration
  • Delve into the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease by recapitulating tau tangles and amyloid-beta plaques in our advanced Alzheimer’s hippocampal organoids.
  • Investigate the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease by mimicking dopaminergic neuron loss in our specialized midbrain organoids.
• Neuropsychiatric Disorders
  • Explore the intricate genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia by investigating schizophrenia-linked DISC1 mutations in our sophisticated forebrain assembloids.
• Neuroinfectious Disorders
  • Our advanced brain organoid platform empowers in-depth studies of viral infections. We offer models that have been crucial in determining Zika virus's role in microcephaly and investigating how SARS-CoV-2 leads to neurological complications.
• Brain Malignancies
• Cerebrovascular Disorders
• Headache Disorders

2. Drug Discovery & Toxicity Testing

• High-Throughput Screening
  • Accelerate the development of Parkinson’s therapies by testing 100+ neuroprotective compounds in our midbrain organoids.
  • Revolutionize epilepsy treatment by screening antiepileptic drugs, including valproic acid, in our cortical organoids with hyperexcitability.
• Personalized Medicine
  • Pave the way for personalized therapies by using patient-derived ALS organoids to validate the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies.
• Toxicity Profiling
  • Assess neurodevelopmental risks of environmental toxins (e.g., BPA) in fetal brain organoids.

3. Cell Therapy Development

• Neuron Replacement
  • Transplant midbrain organoid-derived dopaminergic neurons into Parkinson’s rodent models.
• Glial Cell Engineering
  • Generate oligodendrocytes from MGE organoids for remyelination in multiple sclerosis.

4. Genetic Variant Screening

• Pathogenic Mutations
  • Introduce HTT CAG repeats in striatal organoids to study Huntington’s disease mechanisms.
• Population Genetics
  • Map autism risk variants (e.g., NRXN1 deletions) across diverse cortical organoid biobanks.

5. Genetic Engineering

• CRISPR-Cas9 Editing
  • Correct SOD1 mutations in ALS motor neuron organoids for gene therapy validation.
• Reporter Lines
  • Engineer fluorescent GABAergic neurons in MGE organoids for live imaging of migration.

6. Pathogen Analyses

• Viral Mechanisms
  • Model HIV neuroinvasion in choroid plexus organoids to study viral reservoirs.
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Test SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism in blood-brain barrier assembloids.

7. Developmental Biology

• Cell Fate Mapping
  • Track neural crest cell dynamics in hindbrain organoids using time-lapse imaging.
• Evolutionary Studies
  • Compare cortical neuron diversity in human vs. chimpanzee forebrain organoids.

8. Biobank for Studies

• Disease Cohorts
  • Build a library of Alzheimer’s organoids with APOE4 vs. APOE3 genotypes.
• Rare Disease Models
  • Collect Rett syndrome (MECP2 mutant) hypothalamic organoids for drug repurposing.

9. Genomic Analyses

• Epigenetic Regulation
  • Profile DNA methylation changes in aging cerebellar organoids.
• 3D Chromatin Architecture
  • Resolve spatial genome organization in prefrontal cortex organoids using Hi-C.

Our Workflow

Reference

1. Albanese, Alexandre et al. “Multiscale 3D phenotyping of human cerebral organoids.” Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):21487. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78130-7. Distributed under Open Access License CC BY 4.0. The original image was modified.