What are mini brains? - Madeline Lancaster
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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.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
How one scientist is growing miniature brains in her lab from Ideas.TED.com is another great read. The BBC also has an article: “We’re growing brains outside of the body.”
TED Ed has several great lessons on the human brain. Click here and start learning more about yours!
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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