Scientists engineer first fully synthetic brain tissue model

Scientists have engineered the first fully synthetic brain tissue model, eliminating the need for animal-derived materials. This breakthrough promises more controlled and humane neurological drug testing. The novel scaffold, made from a common polymer, allows donor brain cells to grow and form functional neural networks. This innovation could significantly reduce reliance on animal testing for neurological research. This development, initiated in 2020, aims to create interconnected organ models for a more integrated understanding of human biology and disease. The team is also developing a similar model for liver tissue.