Human biology shares similarities with other mammals, but its neurology is uniquely complex. Studying human brain function and somatosensory pathways can be challenging due to their genetic differences from non-human animals. To overcome this, researchers have turned to human organoids – tiny organs grown from stem cells.
In a recent study published in Nature, scientists successfully created an “assembloid,” a four-part organoid that includes somatosensory, spinal, thalamic, and cortical components. This assembloid replicates the entire pathway, from skin sensation to brain processing.
These assembloids offer a game-changing tool for studying biological processes and diseases affecting tactile perception. By developing these pathways in detail, researchers can test therapies and develop new treatments for conditions like absence of pain perception caused by genetic mutations.
This breakthrough research has significant implications for understanding human neurology and advancing our knowledge of neurological disorders.
Source: https://hackaday.com/2025/04/11/creating-a-somatosensory-pathway-from-human-stem-cells