When human stem-cell derived cortical organoids (hCOs) are transplanted into the brains of newborn rodents, they typically compete with host neurons for space and connectivity, limiting their capacity to model human neurodevelopment. Kaganovsky et al. have now developed a new ‘xenocortication’ approach that overcomes these constraints by ablating a large proportion of the host cortex to facilitate graft growth and integration. The authors used a genetic strategy to generate ‘apallial’ mice in which almost all of the neocortex and hippocampus was absent. hCOs were grafted into the resulting cortical cavity when the pups were 5–17 days old.
The xenocortical grafts grew rapidly, occupying most of the cortical volume 3 months after transplantation, and integrated into the mouse tissue, forming connections with subcortical brain regions and projecting into the spinal cord. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription Receive 12 print issues and online access Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Kaganovsky, K. et al. Developmental xenocortication using human-derived organoids in mice.
Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-11032-2 (2026) Nature Reviews Neuroscience http://www.nature.com/nrn/ Whalley, K. Creating space for human organoids in the mouse brain. Neurosci. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-026-01090-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-026-01090-w
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