Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain

Abstract Background The recent emergence of three-dimensional organoids and their utilization as in vitro disease models confirmed the complexities behind organ-specific functions and unravelled the importance of establishing suitable human models for various applications. Also, in light of persis...

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Main Authors: Sara Ouaidat, Alessandro Bellapianta, Franziska Ammer-Pickhardt, Tara Taghipour, Matthias Bolz, Ahmad Salti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1462399425000092/type/journal_article
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author Sara Ouaidat
Alessandro Bellapianta
Franziska Ammer-Pickhardt
Tara Taghipour
Matthias Bolz
Ahmad Salti
author_facet Sara Ouaidat
Alessandro Bellapianta
Franziska Ammer-Pickhardt
Tara Taghipour
Matthias Bolz
Ahmad Salti
author_sort Sara Ouaidat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The recent emergence of three-dimensional organoids and their utilization as in vitro disease models confirmed the complexities behind organ-specific functions and unravelled the importance of establishing suitable human models for various applications. Also, in light of persistent challenges associated with their use, researchers have been striving to establish more advanced structures (i.e. assembloids) that can help address the limitations presented in the current organoids. Methods In this review, we discuss the distinct organoid types that are available to date, with a special focus on retinal and brain organoids, and highlight their importance in disease modelling. Results We refer to published research to explore the extent to which retinal and brain organoids can serve as potential alternatives to organ/cell transplants and direct our attention to the topic of photostimulation in retinal organoids. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of incorporating microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip devices for boosting retinal organoid performance. The challenges of organoids leading to the subsequent development of assembloid fusion models are also presented. Conclusion In conclusion, organoid technology has laid the foundation for generating upgraded models that not only better replicate in vivo systems but also allow for a deeper comprehension of disease pathophysiology.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1462-3994
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Cambridge University Press
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series Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
spelling doaj-art-c9074cbb2e9c4b2da695e02618c5dbb32025-08-20T12:57:28ZengCambridge University PressExpert Reviews in Molecular Medicine1462-39942025-01-012710.1017/erm.2025.9Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brainSara Ouaidat0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4640-9973Alessandro Bellapianta1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3375-9940Franziska Ammer-Pickhardt2https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7725-4695Tara Taghipour3https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0754-2654Matthias Bolz4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8691-5276Ahmad Salti5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7678-0125Research Group Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, AustriaResearch Group Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, AustriaResearch Group Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria Department of Biosciences & Medical Biology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg (PLUS), Salzburg, AustriaResearch Group Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, AustriaResearch Group Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, AustriaResearch Group Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology, University Clinic for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria Abstract Background The recent emergence of three-dimensional organoids and their utilization as in vitro disease models confirmed the complexities behind organ-specific functions and unravelled the importance of establishing suitable human models for various applications. Also, in light of persistent challenges associated with their use, researchers have been striving to establish more advanced structures (i.e. assembloids) that can help address the limitations presented in the current organoids. Methods In this review, we discuss the distinct organoid types that are available to date, with a special focus on retinal and brain organoids, and highlight their importance in disease modelling. Results We refer to published research to explore the extent to which retinal and brain organoids can serve as potential alternatives to organ/cell transplants and direct our attention to the topic of photostimulation in retinal organoids. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of incorporating microfluidics and organ-on-a-chip devices for boosting retinal organoid performance. The challenges of organoids leading to the subsequent development of assembloid fusion models are also presented. Conclusion In conclusion, organoid technology has laid the foundation for generating upgraded models that not only better replicate in vivo systems but also allow for a deeper comprehension of disease pathophysiology. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1462399425000092/type/journal_article3D modelsassembloidsaxonal projectionsbrain organoids (BOs)organoidsretinal ganglionic cells (RGCs)retinal organoids (ROs)
spellingShingle Sara Ouaidat
Alessandro Bellapianta
Franziska Ammer-Pickhardt
Tara Taghipour
Matthias Bolz
Ahmad Salti
Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
3D models
assembloids
axonal projections
brain organoids (BOs)
organoids
retinal ganglionic cells (RGCs)
retinal organoids (ROs)
title Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain
title_full Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain
title_fullStr Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain
title_full_unstemmed Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain
title_short Exploring organoid and assembloid technologies: a focus on retina and brain
title_sort exploring organoid and assembloid technologies a focus on retina and brain
topic 3D models
assembloids
axonal projections
brain organoids (BOs)
organoids
retinal ganglionic cells (RGCs)
retinal organoids (ROs)
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S1462399425000092/type/journal_article
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