Building a Better Cell
- Published30 May 2017
- Reviewed30 May 2017
- Author Michael W. Richardson
- Source BrainFacts/SfN
![Scientists placed the above stem cell (pictured in magenta) into a synthetic gel. After two weeks, the cell spouted a web of nerve fibers (pictured in green).](https://www.brainfacts.org/-/media/Brainfacts2/Brain-Anatomy-and-Function/Cells-and-Circuits/Article-Images/Artificial-stem-cells.png)
Neural stem cells have an amazing capacity for change – they can form into all the different types of cells that make up the brain and nervous system. Scientists placed the above stem cell (pictured in magenta) into a synthetic gel. After two weeks, the cell spouted a web of nerve fibers (pictured in green). Growing these cells artificially will help scientists study how the environment affects cell growth in the brain.
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