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SUMMARY:CSAR lecture: Creating brain organoids to uncover what makes us hu
 man. - Dr. Madeline Lancaster\, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
DTSTART:20240513T183000Z
DTEND:20240513T200000Z
UID:TALK216583@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:John Cook
DESCRIPTION:*Using in vitro models to study human brain evolution and dise
 ase.* \nThe human brain is amazingly complex\, and it’s this complexity 
 that enables our remarkable cognitive power but also makes us susceptible 
 to a range of neurological and mental health conditions. How this complexi
 ty arises specifically in humans is one of the most important questions in
  biology. Because it is a question that can’t be answered in standard an
 imal models\, we need a human model. We are exploring this by using stem c
 ell derived models called organoids\, small tissues that self-organise and
  build themselves in a petri dish. By making organoids that mimic the earl
 y stages of brain development\, we can compare these tissues made from hum
 an cells with those made from our closest living relatives\, the other gre
 at apes\, to discover what sets us apart. We have discovered that the cell
 s that produce neurons develop more slowly in human\, and that this delay 
 enables them to expand more before making neurons\, and thus enables great
 er neuron number production in the end\, hence a larger more complex brain
 . We are now exploring how this happens\, and what goes wrong in disorders
  like autism and schizophrenia. By using a human model\, we are finally re
 vealing the key processes that set us apart as a species.\n\n*Open to all.
  More details\, and a link for booking\, "here":https://www.csar.org.uk/le
 ctures/2023-2024/tbc_20240513/ *
LOCATION:Location: Wolfson Lecture Theatre\, Churchill College\, and Zoom
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