Using organoids to learn about autism

Microglia cells, which play a major role in the immune system of the brain, are difficult to study. Researchers have now succeeded in modelling the development of the brain and its immune system using organoids. With these miniature models of groups of brain cells, they have investigated changes associated with a certain type of autism spectrum disorder. This approach can also be used to study other conditions.

Simon Schäfer in his lab in front of a microscope — Simon Schäfer, Professor for Advanced Organoid Technologies for Mental Health Research (TUM)

In the brain, microglia perform such functions as engulfing damaged nerve cells and removing the debris. They can also promote the growth of neurons. As a result, they play an important role in the development of the brain and in diseases of the nervous system.

Until now, many aspects of how microglia function have remained unknown. This is partly because their behavior under laboratory conditions is fundamentally different than in the human body. An international research team in which Simon Schäfer, Professor for Advanced Organoid Technologies for Mental Health Research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), has made decisive contributions, describes an approach to this problem in the journal Cell.

Using organoids to learn about autism

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