According to Cell Stem Cell, scientists created tiny lacrimal gland organoids out of tear-producing cells and made them cry in hopes that the research can treat human eye disorders.
The 3D tear-gland organoids were designed to resemble miniature versions of organs. These organoids produced tears after researchers added noradrenaline, the same hormone in humans that triggers crying.
After the hormone was administered, it only took 30 minutes for the organoids to swell with fluid and leak it. The researchers also discovered upon removing the hormone that the organoids slowly absorbed the tears and kept on growing until they burst from too much pressure.
“It’s very promising,” ocular pathologist Geeta Vemuganti said about the experiment.
Tear duct organoids experiment in human and mice.
The purpose of this research is to treat eye issues. The organoids were tested on mice to study how and if it could be transplanted into human eyes.
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