This year, neuroscience researchers made important discoveries related to how neurodegeneration attacks the human brain, hooked cultured neurons up to machinery to teach them to play a video game, and more.

The DishBrain system can send and receive electrophysiological signals to and from living neurons, training the cells to accomplish a task.

Researchers report they were able to make functional sperm in a dish, a feat previously only possible for mice.

Geckos injected with neural stem cells modified to block cartilage growth developed the skeletal and nervous components normally lacking from regrown tails.

The National Academies’ report touches on ethical issues raised by new technologies such as brain organoids and human-animal chimeras, and suggests that current regulatory oversight is sufficient.

The three-dimensional cell cultures are still in the development phase, but researchers are excited about their use to predict patients’ responses to various treatment options.

The lab-made organoids are fully functional, the team reports, and could aid the study of vascular-related diseases such as diabetes.

A mouse study details a method called VIVO that predicts the accuracy of any guide RNA.

In an in vitro study, the compound completely blocked the replication of rhinoviruses.

Researchers stumbled across the connection while searching for ways to reduce vision problems in people with achromatopsia.

In a process known as vomocytosis, macrophages swallow pathogens whole only to spew them back out later, unharmed.

The antimalarial drug reduces the number of infected Vero and human brain microvascular endothelial cells—among other cell types—in culture, researchers report in a preprint.

Scientists produce a tissue-like material containing hundreds of light-activated compartments that transmits an electrical signal when illuminated.

From the tissue of numerous colon cancer patients, researchers build 3-D cultures of tumors.

More than 50 years after cross-contamination of cultured cell lines was recognized, the problem continues to plague the scientific community.