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Stanford study finds brain develops from two distinct stem cell lineages

Stanford School of Medicine researchers report that the human brain forms from two separate types of stem cells rather than one uniform source. One lineage, marked by the Otx2 gene, produces the midbrain and forebrain responsible for higher-order thinking and speech, while a distinct stem cell type gives rise to the hindbrain, which governs basic functions like heartbeat and breathing. Researcher Kyle Loh says this finding allows scientists to grow hindbrain neurons in a lab dish for the first time.

techspot.com · 2026-09-23

Study finds two distinct progenitor cells build the brain, not one

Researchers at Stanford, led by Kyle Loh, report evidence that the brain develops from two separate populations of precursor cells rather than a single universal one. One lineage forms the hindbrain, which governs vital functions like heartbeat and breathing, while a second gives rise to both the forebrain and midbrain. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, also describe a method for converting stem cells efficiently into hindbrain motor neurons.

nature.com · 2026-09-18