Scientist uses 'mini brains' to model how to prevent development of abnormally small heads

(City of Hope) A scientist is one step closer to discovering what weakens a pathogen that appears to cause babies to be born with abnormally small heads or microcephaly. Studying 'mini brains,' or brain organoids, this scientist is hoping to get a grasp on how certain unborn babies infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) develop microcephaly. She thinks she has developed a brain organoid model that can trace the pathogen and plans to test antiviral agents.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news