A Food Additive Unlocks New Solutions for Scaling Brain Organoid Research
Stanford researchers discover that xanthan gum, a common food additive, prevents neural organoids from sticking together, enabling large-scale brain tissue studies and drug testing.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that a common food additive, xanthan gum, can effectively prevent neural organoids—miniature, simplified models of human brain tissue—from sticking together during growth. This breakthrough addresses a longstanding challenge in neuroscience research: producing large quantities of uniformly sized and shaped organoids necessary for studying brain development, disorders, and drug testing.
The Stanford Brain Organogenesis Program has been pioneering methods to grow three-dimensional brain-like tissues from stem cells, facilitating studies on neural circuitry related to pain, neurodevelopmental disorders, and more. However, scaling up production was hindered by organoids fusing or sticking to each other, reducing yield and variability.
To solve this, the team evaluated 23 biocompatible materials and found that xanthan gum, a substance widely used as a food thickener, effectively prevented organoid adhesion without affecting their development. This simple, economical solution allowed the production of thousands of organoids simultaneously, enhancing the potential for large-scale experiments.
As proof of concept, the researchers grew 2,400 organoids to test drug effects, including 298 FDA-approved medications. Their study identified some drugs that could potentially harm brain development, demonstrating the technique’s utility in drug safety testing, especially for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and infants.
This advancement accelerates efforts to better understand neuropsychiatric conditions like autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. By enabling large-scale, consistent organoid production, scientists can now conduct comprehensive studies and screenings more efficiently, promising new insights into brain development and disorders.
The team has committed to sharing this accessible approach openly, hoping to inspire further innovations in brain research. This breakthrough exemplifies how a simple, everyday additive can have profound implications in biomedical science.
_source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-common-food-additive-sticky-neuroscience.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Low Cervical Cancer Screening Rates in Counties Linked to Higher Incidence and Mortality
Counties with persistently low cervical cancer screening rates face significantly higher rates of diagnosis and death. This study highlights the urgent need for improved screening access in underserved areas to reduce cervical cancer burden.
Rising Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Expert Shares Tips for Safer Sleep Practices
An alarming increase in sleep-related infant deaths calls for improved safe sleep practices. Experts share essential tips to keep babies safer during sleep.
New Evolutionary Model Highlights the Importance of Dose Timing in Antibiotic Resistance Management
A groundbreaking study introduces a new evolutionary model showing that the timing of antibiotic doses, especially early doses, is crucial in preventing bacterial resistance. Accurate dosing schedules can improve treatment outcomes and curb the rise of superbugs.
N-NAIL Score Demonstrates Greater Accuracy than NAPSI in Diagnosing Nail Psoriasis
A recent study reveals that the N-NAIL score outperforms NAPSI in accurately diagnosing nail psoriasis, offering a simpler and more reliable tool for clinicians and researchers.