Generation of Dopaminergic Neuronal Organoids from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Source: Cosset, E. et al. Human Neural Organoids for Studying Brain Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases. J. Vis. Exp. (2019) This video demonstrates the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into dopaminergic neurons, to provide a model for studying Parkinson's disease. The hESCs are cultured in a neural induction medium in a microwell plate to form 3D neurospheres. These are then cultured in a neural induction medium to promote the differentiation into dopaminergic progenitor neurons. The final maturation of the neurons occurs in a culture insert under air-liquid interface conditions, resulting in 3D organoids consisting of mature dopaminergic neurons.