Analytic Models of Oxygen and Nutrient Diffusion, Metabolism Dynamics, and Architecture Optimization in Three-Dimensional Tissue Constructs with Applications and Insights in Cerebral Organoids

What is it about?

New mathematical models shed light on the complex interactions of stem cell function and molecular diffusion and metabolism in neural tissue, which may help explain many phenomena from stem cell differentiation to the formation of the cortex of the brain.

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Why is it important?

Stem cells have very unique behaviors and responses to specific concentrations of many molecular factors, meaning that it is important to understand the complex dynamics of nutrient signaling, diffusion, and metabolism in 3D tissues. Many 3D tissues have been constructed with the hope of replicating “mini-organs” from a patient’s own stem cells, including “mini-brains” or cerebral organoids. The ability to guide and direct stem cell development and function to desired functional effects is an essential step in understanding and repairing neurological diseases and injuries.