Pascual Maragall Foundation creates mini-brains with stem cells for Alzheimer’s research

Research center Pascual Maragall FoundationBarcelona Beta Brain Research Center (BBRC), creating brain organoids from stem cells which allow us to model the development Alzheimer’s disease and study in detail the factors contributing to its occurrence and progression. These in vitro models mimic the function of the real brain; they are three-dimensional cell cultures with a structure similar to that of the human brain and are very useful for understanding the disease. Researcher and project leader Dr. Laura García González emphasized that These “mini-brains” are a very powerful forecasting tool. analyze genetic factors contributing to the development of the disease.

The project, launched in 2022, makes it possible to obtain stem cells from specialized cells. derived from blood samples Foundation research participants. In the process of cellular reprogramming, the identity of the extracted cells is eliminated to transform them into stem cells. Hence the “guidelines” for creating organoids that can be used to comprehensively study the development of Alzheimer’s disease. without the need to resort to animal experiments. In particular, Garcia explained that the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the early stages of the disease can be studied, moving closer to preventing, slowing or even stopping its progression.

Minibrain created using stem cells reaches maximum size 3-4 mm³ and existing limitations such as the lack of blood vessels and immune cells, although the Foundation notes that even so, “they are a very valuable model for biomedical research” and have the same genetic identity as the person from whom the sample was extracted. . “Brain organoids offer a more accurate view of the human brain than two-dimensional cultures or animal models because they reproduce some structural and functional aspects of the brain“, they turn to the researchers.

Stem cell bank

The project also includes the creation a stem cell bank that will serve as a platform for screening new treatments pharmacological. In addition, the study opens up new areas of research, such as studying the impact of covid-19 on the brains of people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. The project explores the connection between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and neurodegeneration, with the goal of understanding how the infection affects different genetic contexts. The Pascual Maragall Foundation has also launched a campaign to raise €250,000 to fund this research.