Welcome to the Chen Lab!

The brain dictates our interaction with the external world and defines our internal mindscape. Thus, disruption of this delicate organ leads to immense individual and societal costs.

The primary focus of our translational research is to develop novel methods for restoring the function of the brain after it has been damaged by combining aspects of stem cell biology, neural tissue engineering, and neural interface technologies. In addition, we are interested in new techniques for preserving brain function during neurosurgical procedures. The goal of these research endeavors is to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from a variety of brain disorders and diseases.

News

Organoid Transplantation Article in Cell Stem Cell Thursday, February 2, 2023
We are very excited to share our new study on organoid transplantation into rat visual cortex, published today in Cell Stem Cell. Congrats to Dennis and the team on this big step!

Press coverage:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00228-5

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/feb/03/blobs-of-human-brain-planted-in-rats-offer-new-treatment-hope

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2357828-human-neurons-implanted-into-a-rats-brain-respond-to-flashing-lights/

https://www.iflscience.com/human-mini-brains-merge-with-injured-rat-brain-tissue-and-respond-to-light-67366

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-human-brain-organoids-visual-stimuli.html?deviceType=desktop
Congratulations to Ben! Wednesday, April 14, 2021
4/14/21

We would like to congratulate Ben Gu for his recent acceptance to the neurosurgery residency program at Penn!
Cell Stem Cell Publication! Thursday, October 3, 2019
We are excited to announce our recently published article titled “Transplantation of Human Brain Organoids: Revisiting the Science and Ethics of Brain Chimeras.”

Check it out along with related press at the following links:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2019.09.002

https://gizmodo.com/rodents-with-part-human-brains-pose-a-new-challenge-for-1838741492

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/mini-brains-animals-ethics-organoids-isaac-chen