Skip to main content

TED-Ed

What are mini brains? - Madeline Lancaster

610,375 Views

6,108 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Shielded by our thick skulls and swaddled in layers of protective tissue, the human brain is extremely difficult to observe in action. Luckily, scientists can use brain organoids — pencil-eraser-sized masses of cells that function like human brains but aren’t part of an organism — to look closer. How do they do it? And is it ethical? Madeline Lancaster shares how to make a brain in a lab.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator
Madeline Lancaster
Script Editor
Elizabeth Cox
Animator
Adam Wells
Composer
Chris Reed
Sound Designer
Chris Reed
Narrator
Addison Anderson
Associate Producer
Elizabeth Cox, Jessica Ruby
Content Producer
Gerta Xhelo
Editorial Producer
Alex Rosenthal
Director
Adam Wells
Fact-Checker
Francisco Diez

More from Getting Under Our Skin