The CRISPR-Cas gene scissors enable researchers to study the genetic and cellular causes of autism in the lab – directly on human tissue.
If the composition of the different nerve cell types gets out of balance during brain development, this can lead to autism (symbol image). (Visualisations: Adobe Stock)
In brief
Researchers have developed a method via which they can alter cells in miniscule human tissue cultures known as organoids in a mosaic-like manner.
The technology helps to speed up the search for the molecular causes of hereditary diseases and peculiarities of brain development such as autism.
Research with organoids is an alternative to animal testing and helps to reduce it.
