Using Human Brain Cells in Rats to Understand Psychiatric Disorders with Dr. Sergiu Pasca

The journal Nature published a groundbreaking new study by world-renowned Stanford neuroscientist Sergiu Pasca involving the transfer of human brain organoids into the brains of rats. Insoo Hyun, Director of the Center for Life Sciences and Public Learning at the Museum of Science, speaks candidly with Dr. Pasca about his research. Why did he do it? How might this uncover the mysteries of psychiatric disorders? And the Big Question we are all wondering about - can these rats ever develop “human-like” consciousness? Together they demystify the science.
Trained as a physician in Romania, Sergiu Pasca came for postdoctoral training at Stanford in 2009 where he developed some of the initial in vitro models of disease by deriving neurons from skin cells taken from patients with genetic brain disorders. His lab has afterwards introduced the use of instructive signals for reproducibly deriving self-organizing 3D cellular structures known as regionalized neural organoids or spheroids. To gain access to complex cellular interactions in the human brain, his research group also pioneered a modular system to study human neural circuits in preparations named assembloids.
Insoo Hyun is Director of Research Ethics and a faculty member of the Center for Bioethics and senior lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is also Director at the Center for Life Sciences and Public Learning at the Boston Museum of Science. As a Fulbright Scholar and Hastings Center Fellow, Dr. Hyun's interests include ethical and policy issues in stem cell research and new biotechnologies.
00:33 Dr. Sergiu Pasca’s Romanian roots.
00:55 Why is Dr. Pasca’s work important for Psychiatry?
04:14 Dr. Pasca’s work with human brain organoids.
06:14 Challenges with using animal brains when trying to unlock mysteries of human psychiatric disorders.
07:13 Reason for Dr.Pasca’s latest research transplanting human brain organoids into rat brains.
08:47 How the human brain organoid transplantation into a rat brain is accomplished.
10:19 What Dr. Pasca learned from his experiment and its importance.
12:02 Brain cells’ amazing ability to take over and organize themselves in appropriate environments.
13:03 Will animals with human brain organoids in their brain develop human-like consciousness?
17:30 Will manipulating human neurons in a rat change the behavior of the rat?
19:43 Application of rat experiment findings for human patients.
22:07 The ethics and regulation of using animals in scientific research.
25:25 Why context matters in research of transplanting human brain organoids into rat brains and the challenge of people backfilling science they might not understand with mythology and science fiction.
32:28 Dr. Pasca’s inspiration to work so hard to unlock the mysteries of psychiatric disorders.
“The Big Question” is a production of the Museum of Science, Boston.
Among the world's largest science centers, the Museum of Science engages millions of people each year to the wonders of science and technology through interactive exhibitions, digital programs, giant screen productions, and preK - 8 EiE® STEM curricula through the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center. Established in 1830, the Museum is home to such iconic experiences as the Theater of Electricity, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater. Around the world, the Museum is known for digital experiences such as Mission: Mars launching in 2022 on Roblox, and traveling exhibitions such as the Science Behind Pixar. Learn more at mos.org.

[@Ezekiel647]

Always love how Sergiu explains things with passion. Working in the same area with neural stem cells and neural organoids I do understand I sometimes have no holidays, going even on weekends and constant struggle. The work is undoubtedly hard, but when you have a passion for it, and a goal in mind, you can do unimaginable things. This field is so interesting, it's a weekend night in Milan, I have worked whole day in my lab and I am still watching amazing discussions of Sergiu Pasca.

[@FailFries]

It would be nice if there was less interrupting. When you are interviewing someone, just let them speak. They know what is important to bring out.

[@magdalenadeline3775]

Excatly, I do feel the same.. but we could see Dr. Sergiu is humble to hear his story or background of his questions before he corrects those thoughts

[@marcnorderland9400]

Fascinating!

[@Allen-Cote-St.-Luc]

Interesting, thanks.

[@pf6112]

In theory, could cells be taken from a human, processed and then put into the brain of that individual and provide functions that are currently not provided due to disease or injury? I'm thinking of treatment for, for example, dementia or cerebral palsy.

[@Ezekiel647]

Yes, in theory that is possible! We work with the neural stem cells from the adult human brains, and we generate neurons, and other brain cells outside of the body. Then theoretically these cells can be transplanted to the patient like for example in case of spinal cord injury, the neural stem cells from the same patients brain can be taken and transplanted to the injured part of the patients spinal cord where it could possibly generate neurons and so the lost connections can be established. But! There is still a lot to understand and research is ongoing!

[@IWorfare]

we are focusing on the wrong problems. helping a person with paralysis or parkinsons isnt gonna make them any happier. our brains were built with a law that "good CANNOT exist without bad". anytime we experience good, we WILL experience bad (mentally). we need to be heavily focused on changing the mood and energy in people. we need to get rid of depression, anxiety, and laziness. focus on boosting energy, happiness, and focus with BCI implants. when you boost energy and focus then the world will be an ENTIRELY different and better place. we will have superhumans that can fix all the conflicts that exist and even improve lives for every single creature on earth. fixing a persons paralysis, parkinsons, uploading your brain to a computer, using your computer with your brain is all useless. none of these stuff with lead to happiness as long as our brain follows the law "good cannot exist without bad". we are just as unhappy as monkeys and rats despite the advanced technology. dont believe me? then why does "988" exist?

[@anmcdd4915]

Always pale, ALWAYS MALE, way too militarised style and stale. Progress in research at its best.