UK Scientists Grow A Living Human ‘Brain’

Sky News
Thursday, March 26, 2009

Scientists in Birmingham have grown a living human ‘brain’.

The team at Aston University created tiny bundles of cells which act like a mini nervous system.

They believe it could help find a cure for degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s, motor neurone or Parkinson’s disease.

Professor Michael Coleman is leading the research. 

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He explained: “We are aiming to be able to study the human brain at the most basic level, using an actual living human cellular system. 

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

“Cells have to be alive and operating efficiently to enable us to really understand how the brain works.”

The experiment involves altering cells from a cancer tumour and making them behave like brain cells.

Although far from finished, scientists hope the fake brain cells will give them a greater understanding of how real brains work.

Full story here.

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