4 ms·

Tiny human brain grown in lab has eye-like structures that 'see' light

26 points by elorant 4y ago

gus_massa 4y ago
The part about a photosensitive are is not so surprising. Oversimplifying, the retina is a part of the brain that goes out and become photosensitive, in particular during the development it's always connected to the brain. It's not like a camera that grows separately and then get connected by a micro USB. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_development https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_development The part about the lens is more strange. The cornea is made of tissue that is not from the brain. My guess is that it's a bad interpretation in the press article.
- alisonkisk 4y ago
  You are over indexing on "brain". The brain and eye are built from two sets of stem cells that connect, akin to normal mammalian development. > . “In the mammalian brain, nerve fibers of retinal ganglion cells reach out to connect with their brain targets, an aspect that has never before been shown in an in vitro system,” Gopalakrishnan says. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/925127 https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/925127
pmoriarty 4y ago
Is there a way to read this without going through the paywall?
- beardyw 4y ago
  Such knowledge is not for the likes of you and I.
- elorant 4y ago
  Just Google the title. Here are a couple more detailed articles: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mini-brains-grown-stem-cells-developed-eyes-can-sense-light-180978478/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mini-brains-grown-... https://www.livescience.com/brain-organoid-optic-eyes.html https://www.livescience.com/brain-organoid-optic-eyes.html
wilmerags 4y ago
Rick would be proud.
- jpgvm 4y ago
  Pass the butter.
bradley_taunt 4y ago
Winter lanterns
bitwize 4y ago
I'm reminded of the episode of Superfriends, where brains (with eyes) from Mars take over the bodies of the Superfriends by merging with them.
jmprspret 4y ago
This is terrifying as it reminds me of Metal Gear: Revengance. I recall a scene where theres a lab full of rows and rows of human brains in tanks with their eyes still attached, moving, seeing. It made me think how terrifying it would be to be a brain sitting in a jar with eyes - just watching, waiting.

26 points by elorant 4y ago

The part about a photosensitive are is not so surprising. Oversimplifying, the retina is a part of the brain that goes out and become photosensitive, in particular during the development it's always connected to the brain. It's not like a camera that grows separately and then get connected by a micro USB. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_development https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_development The part about the lens is more strange. The cornea is made of tissue that is not from the brain. My guess is that it's a bad interpretation in the press article.

alisonkisk 4y ago
You are over indexing on "brain". The brain and eye are built from two sets of stem cells that connect, akin to normal mammalian development. > . “In the mammalian brain, nerve fibers of retinal ganglion cells reach out to connect with their brain targets, an aspect that has never before been shown in an in vitro system,” Gopalakrishnan says. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/925127 https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/925127

pmoriarty 4y ago

Is there a way to read this without going through the paywall?

beardyw 4y ago
Such knowledge is not for the likes of you and I.
elorant 4y ago
Just Google the title. Here are a couple more detailed articles: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mini-brains-grown-stem-cells-developed-eyes-can-sense-light-180978478/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mini-brains-grown-... https://www.livescience.com/brain-organoid-optic-eyes.html https://www.livescience.com/brain-organoid-optic-eyes.html

wilmerags 4y ago

Rick would be proud.

jpgvm 4y ago
Pass the butter.

bradley_taunt 4y ago

Winter lanterns

bitwize 4y ago

I'm reminded of the episode of Superfriends, where brains (with eyes) from Mars take over the bodies of the Superfriends by merging with them.

jmprspret 4y ago

This is terrifying as it reminds me of Metal Gear: Revengance. I recall a scene where theres a lab full of rows and rows of human brains in tanks with their eyes still attached, moving, seeing. It made me think how terrifying it would be to be a brain sitting in a jar with eyes - just watching, waiting.