Mapping the trajectory of organoid research: Insights into complex models and advanced technologies

In recent years, organoid technology has become a pivotal advancement in stem cell research, offering an unprecedented experimental platform that mimics the morphology and function of human organs, pushing modern life sciences to the forefront. This technology has successfully developed complex three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from human pluripotent or adult stem cells, closely resembling natural organs in tissue and function. Organoid models facilitate in-depth studies of organ development, disease progression, and drug interactions, effectively addressing ethical and practical limitations in traditional biomedical research. Despite its promising development, organoid technology faces challenges in practical applications, particularly in constructing complex organs like the brain, heart, and bone tissue. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 8051 publications on organoids from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database (2000-2025). These studies were categorized into five clusters related to current situations and future application directions. Based on our bibliometric analysis, systematically summarize the development of organoid technologies, from laboratory to preclinical applications, exploration of complex organoids, and advanced technologies, while analyzing their limitations and prospects. This review will provide an objective perspective to identify current trends in organoid research and provide new insights into the future research and clinical applications of organoids by teasing out the past-present of organoid research.