Whole-Brain Organoid Breakthrough by Johns Hopkins Scientists
Whole-brain organoid research just took a major leap forward, thanks to scientists at Johns Hopkins University. A team led by biomedical engineering professor Annie Kathuria has successfully developed a multi-region whole-brain organoid, a miniaturized, lab-grown model that mimics the structure and connectivity of a real human brain. Unlike previous models focused on single brain regions, this innovation integrates multiple neural tissues and rudimentary blood vessels to simulate full-brain function.
The study, published in Advanced Science, introduces one of the most sophisticated human brain models yet. These whole-brain organoids are composed of neural cells from various brain regions, bonded using biologically engineered “superglue” proteins. Over time, the tissues connected and began generating synchronized electrical activity, resembling a brain at around 40 days of fetal development.
Containing between 6 to 7 million neurons, the organoids display over 80% of the cellular diversity found in early-stage human brains. Additionally, researchers observed early signs of blood-brain barrier formation, a critical protective layer in real human brains.
Kathuria emphasized the potential of this innovation to transform how we study complex neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. “If we want to understand disorders like autism or schizophrenia, we need human-based models. Animal models often fall short,” she said.
Using whole-brain organoids as test platforms for experimental drugs could significantly reduce failure rates in clinical trials. Currently, 85–90% of drugs fail in early trials—96% for neuropsychiatric treatments—largely due to poor translation from animal models. These organoids offer a more accurate, scalable, and ethical alternative for understanding disease development and drug efficacy.“Conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s affect the entire brain” said Kathuria. “By observing how diseases form and progress in a whole-brain organoid, we can identify early intervention targets and test therapies with much greater precision”.
