Organoids can shed light on once hard-to-access patterning and morphogenetic events, guiding our understanding of what happens in the embryo and informing efforts to derive diverse cell types efficiently in the dish. In the mammalian spinal cord, BMP signalling regulates dorsal cell type identity, but recent work with organoids has questioned whether it does so instructively or permissively. Now, Stéphane Nedelec, Vanessa Ribes and colleagues address this question by adapting a 3D embryoid body-based protocol to generate mouse and human spinal organoids with dorsally fated interneuron subtypes. Exposing these organoids to BMP4 leads to a concentric spatial arrangement of cell types resembling that of the developing spinal cord, with dorsal cells found more peripherally. This pattern is established via a gradient of SMAD activation, which itself is biased by the spontaneous formation of an external epithelium in the developing organoids. In both species, modulating BMP4 concentration, duration of exposure or the time of exposure determines the type of dorsal cells generated, but the competence time windows to respond to BMPs are extended in humans. Overall, this work supports an instructive role of BMPs in generating patterns of cell types in the dorsal spinal cord, with time-dependent changes in progenitor competence controlling cell type diversification.
Tapping the potential of spinal organoids
Tapping the potential of spinal organoids. Development 15 July 2019; 146 (14): e1405. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Development a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.
Propose a new Workshop for 2025

We are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Biologists Workshops programme. As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We'll take care of all the logistics. In 2025 we'll continue our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme and will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South (GS) country to host an event overseas.
Development presents… Outstanding Paper Prize Finalists

On Wednesday 19 April, Development hosted a webinar celebrating the finalists for Development’s Inaugural Outstanding Paper Prize. The talks and Q&As were hosted by our Deputy Editor, Steve Wilson (UCL).
Development Journal Meeting 2023

The Abstract deadline for our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Unconventional and Emerging Experimental Organisms in Cell and Developmental Biology’ is 23 June 2023. Find out more and apply to Developments 2023 Journal Meeting here.
Keeping up with the Node

Thirteen years on from its launch, the Node continues to be a place to share research stories, opinions, job adverts and event listings. Development have published a recent Editorial showcasing some of our most popular features, as well as introducing some new initiatives.