1
Human stem cells – cells with the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body – are genetically edited in the lab
Nucleus containing DNA
Stem cell
2
The editing targets three genes linked to neurological growth
In each gene a single letter pair is changed to make the gene closer to the ancient Neanderthal version
DNA
3
A protein-rich formula prompts the stem cells to develop into neurons
Edited
stem cell
Brain cell
The neurons spontaneously clump together and self-organise
4
Over several months, brain organoids form
Neanderthalised organoid
Modern human organoid
The organoids can be compared for a range of similarities and differences
1
Human stem cells – cells with the potential to develop into many different cell types in the body – are genetically edited in the lab
2
The editing targets three genes linked to neurological growth
In each gene a single letter pair is changed to make the gene closer to the ancient Neanderthal version
DNA
Nucleus containing DNA
Stem cell
3
A protein-rich formula prompts the stem cells to develop into neurons
4
Over several months, brain organoids form
Neanderthalised organoid
Modern human organoid
Edited
stem cell
Brain cell
The organoids can be compared for a range of similarities and differences
The neurons spontaneously clump together and self-organise