Scientists have created a groundbreaking tool that can listen to the electrical signals inside tiny lab-grown human brain models, often called “mini brains.”
These structures, known as neural organoids, are made from human stem cells and can mimic some aspects of how real brains develop and function.
They are only about the size of a grain of rice, but they contain networks of nerve cells that communicate through electrical activity.
Until now, researchers could only measure signals from a small part of these organoids. Traditional devices are flat and rigid, designed for cells grown in thin layers, not for round, three-dimensional tissues.
That meant scientists were missing the full picture of how neurons interact across the entire mini brain.
A team led by Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has solved this problem by developing a soft, flexible electronic mesh that wraps gently around an organoid.
The device starts as a flat sheet and then transforms into a three-dimensional shape—similar to how a pop-up book unfolds. Once in place, it closely matches the organoid’s surface, allowing sensors to cover nearly the whole structure.
This breathable, mesh-like framework contains hundreds of tiny electrodes that can record electrical signals from many points at once.
Because the holes in the mesh allow oxygen and nutrients to pass through, the organoid can continue to grow and function normally while being monitored.
In tests, the device covered more than 90 percent of an organoid’s surface using 240 ultra-small electrodes, each about the size of a single cell.
With fewer sensors, researchers could only detect isolated signals. But with the full array, they observed waves of activity spreading across the entire organoid, revealing how different regions communicate with each other in real time.
The technology does more than just listen. It can also send tiny electrical pulses to stimulate specific areas, allowing scientists to see how the network responds. When combined with imaging tools, this gives researchers a powerful way to both observe and influence brain-like activity.
The system also proved sensitive to medications. When researchers exposed organoids to certain drugs, the patterns of electrical activity changed in predictable ways. For example, one drug increased signaling, while another disrupted communication between neurons. This suggests the device could become a valuable tool for testing how new treatments affect human brain tissue without needing to experiment directly on patients.
Interestingly, the framework can even influence the shape of the organoids as they grow. By adjusting the design, the team created mini brains in unusual forms, such as cubes. In the future, scientists may be able to connect different types of organoids together like building blocks to model more complex body systems.
Researchers believe this technology could transform the study of brain development, neurological diseases, and potential treatments. Because organoids can be grown from a patient’s own cells, they may one day help doctors test therapies tailored to individuals.
While more work is needed, the new device brings scientists closer to understanding how real human brain networks function—and how they might be repaired when things go wrong.
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