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Organoids are cell-derived in vitro 3D organ models and allow the study of biological processes, such as cell behaviour, tissue repair and response to drugs or mutations, in an environment that mimics endogenous cell organisation and organ structures. Starting as a major technological breakthrough they are now firmly established as an essential tool in biological research and also have important implications for clinical use. A major advantage is that organoids can be grown from a limited supply of starting material, e.g. biopsies, and used for drug screening to develop individual therapies. They have further shown potential in the modelling of diseases, gene editing and transplantations and not least helped to answer many important biological questions. Efforts are underway to setup cryopreserved biobanks of human organoids as a resource for researchers and clinicians.
Barker and colleagues review the history and recent developments of organoid cultures derived from pluripotent stem cells and adult epithelia, and discuss how the technology can be used for basic research as well as translational applications.
Psychiatric disorders are difficult to model owing to their inherent complexity and heterogeneity. This Perspective focuses on the use of 3D brain organoids in modeling these disorders, considering both their advantages and their limitations.
In this Review, Drost and Clevers discuss the recent advances in organoid models of cancer and how they can be exploited to drive the translation of basic cancer research into novel patient-specific treatment regimens in the clinic.
The development of indefinitely propagating human 'mini-guts' has led to a rapid advance in gastrointestinal research. This Review highlights the uses of enteroids, colonoids and organoids in functional transport physiology studies and host–pathogen studies.
By capturing and manipulating the self-organizing capacity of pluripotent stem cells, researchers have established protocols for the production ofin vitrobrain-like 'organoids'. Di Lullo and Kriegstein evaluate approaches to organoid generation and consider their potential as models of brain development and disease.
3D organoids are valuable tools for increasing understanding of disease biology. In this Review, the authors describe how successful application of organoids into urological cancer research can further our understanding of these diseases and provide preclinical cancer models to aid precision medicine.