Technology & Innovation Active Updated Aug 26, 2026

Brain organoids survive and mature for years in a dish

Brain organoids, lab-grown clusters of neurons, typically die within months because their centers outgrow their blood-free supply. A Harvard team led by Paola Arlotta kept organoids alive and developing on a normal human timeline for more than five years, the longest ever recorded, opening a window into stages of brain development that scarce donated fetal tissue cannot reach. The stakes are how far these organoids can model conditions like schizophrenia, epilepsy and autism that emerge well past early development.