"Breakthrough: 3D-Printed Brain Tissue Functions Like Human Brain"

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new 3D-printing approach for creating brain tissue cultures that mimic the functions of human brain tissue. By printing horizontally and using a bio-ink gel made with fibrinogen and thrombin, the team successfully created resilient yet malleable tissue that allowed neurons to grow and communicate with each other. The new structures formed connections across layers, produced neurotransmitters, and created support cell networks. This innovative technique could potentially be used to study various brain disorders and test new drugs, offering a deeper understanding of how healthy and affected parts of the brain interact.