Why human brain cells grow so slowly

Growing human neurons in the lab can be a time-consuming process. Some cortical cells take years to reach maturity - many times slower than the equivalent cells in a mouse. Researchers have been exploring some of the mechanisms that could be behind these very different timescales of growth - and have found a kind of epigenetic ‘braking’ effect that slows maturation. Manipulating this ‘brake’ could allow scientists to speed up the study of older brain cells in a dish.
Read the paper: www.nature.com/articles/s4158...

[@deadwalking100]

Great video explanation. I found the epigenetic regulation animation particularly fascinating; I suppose the question is, there must be a reason why the cells are inhibited from faster growth, any preliminarily ideas of why that is?

[@user-kt1kn4he7k]

Humans need a lot of time to learn all of the skills we use to survive. Our whole body develops very slowly compared to other mammals. Maybe the purpose of this is keeping our energy requirements low until we can carry our own weight.

[@user-kt1kn4he7k]

So basically: we stay small until we can help feed ourselves. The timing of this would have worked out well in hunter gatherer times, but of course nowadays it takes much longer till we're ready to be useful.

[@PaigeWylderOwO]

What does this mean for the overall lifespan of the neurons though? If they can modified to mature sooner for faster research, does that also mean they will also age faster and hit their Hayflick limit sooner?

[@footfault1941]

Totally agree. No obvious reason is given for explaining why the growth/development should be held. Tradeoffs should be suspected. Intriguing & exciting!

[@oh_rhythm]

Why is growth speed hindered though? What's the trade off?

[@Baalaaxa]

See, I'm not an idiot, I'm just very efficient at protracting the epigenetic maturation of my neurons.

[@JL-nb1yc]

As interesting as this sounds, I am skeptical about the applicability of this system as a human neuronal model. Even growing neural stem cells in culture induces countless artifacts. Now you want to accelerate the aging process? These cells will simply become less "human" over time.

[@Uns178]

No one is trying to accelerate the aging process. The mechanisms that age cells are being looked at and this has implications in looking at various pathologies

[@ktefccre]

Give a big thanks to lab mice everywhere for their sacrifice in the name of science.

[@alinstoi]

Nobel Prize material! Congratulations!

[@warping_gravity_singularity_0]

Haha absolutely 😂😂 and worthy comment 💥

[@deveshgupta8655]

But what is the significance of epigenetic mark?

[@uro9000]

Oh. nice Thank you .🤗

[@footfault1941]

So, this video reveals a potential secret of prodigy!

[@JohnComeOnMan]

This woman's mic is dripping with saliva...thufferin thuccotash

[@mr.wookiesack]

Lmao

[@jameskoh3463]

Time to get new speakers bro

[@masterchiefer25]

Clickbait title. Video answered how but not why

[@mrtienphysics666]

can it allow a person to become smart?

[@kforest2745]

Why do they care it’s not like they’re creating new beings in a lab. Or are they.

[@FranklinFleming-lm1yu]

They do seem to be pushing the artificial womb these days. I kinda wonder where all that tech started and what was the sales pitch? And if it's shown to the public image what is not shown.

[@kforest2745]

@@FranklinFleming-lm1yu yeah it’s as though the plan is to do away with the current species and be in control of their own planned mental construct

[@kforest2745]

@@FranklinFleming-lm1yu oh the tech thing where it started you asked, the entitled have been having discussions about how to skip human development from the fetus stage to the adult stage. I gather they are phobic. Lol No not really they’re just extremely selfish. So nevermind womb this is Petri dish design

[@user-mo2sg8mf5k]

If your brain cells grow slowly it doesn’t mean my brain cells grow slowly too. Keep your insecurities to yourself buddy

[@albertwang5974]

Stimulate these cells with youtube video every day, they will grow fast!

[@mysurfing3550]

4

[@R0M8N]

Faster growth more possibilities of mutations or cancer

[@whitemale6227]

Worst explanation Ive heard in a while.