Induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids: advancements and challenges in neurosciences, drug screening and regenerative medicine

Abstract

Background: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and organoids are powerful technologies that have revolutionized the field of biomedical research. These have tremendous potential in neurosciences, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. Material and Methods: The goals are to provide an overview of the current state of iPSCs and organoids, their applications in neurosciences, drug screening, and regenerative medicine, and highlight their advantages and limitations as research tools. Results: IPSCs are generated from adult cells reprogrammed to a pluripotent state, meaning they can differentiate into any cell type in the body. This technology has allowed researchers to generate patient-specific cell models for studying diseases with a genetic basis. Organoids, on the other hand, are three-dimensional structures generated from stem cells that mimic the architecture and function of organs, having tremendous potential for studying diseases, drug screening and regenerative medicine. In neurosciences, iPSCs are used to study the mechanisms underlying neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The ability to generate patient-specific cell models has allowed researchers to gain insight into the genetic basis of these diseases and to develop novel treatments. IPSCs have been used to test the efficacy and toxicity of new drugs before they are tested in humans, reducing the number of clinical trials and speeding up the drug development process. In regenerative medicine, iPSCs and organoids are used to generate functional tissues and organs for transplantation. This has the potential to revolutionize this field by reducing the need for donor organs. There are also challenges associated with their use, as iPSCs require extensive quality control to ensure they accurately represent the genetic and epigenetic features of donor cells. Organoids are limited by their reproducibility and variability, which can make it difficult to generate results across different experiments. Additionally, iPSCs and organoids are still relatively expensive and time-consuming to maintain. Conclusion: Despite the challenges, organoids remain powerful tools for studying human biology and disease. Their ability to generate patient-specific models and reproduce the structural and functional features of organs holds great promise for advancing the fields of neurosciences, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. As these technologies continue to evolve and improve, we can expect to see more widespread use of them in research and clinical applications.