Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 02 November 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00507-6Neural organoids can be used to characterize functional phenotypes across cellular and network scales, extending their applicability beyond studies of development and molecular identity. This Review examines optical and electrophysiological approaches for measuring neural organoid activity; presents a multiscale framework for evaluating network function; and discusses practical considerations for experimental design, data analysis and interpretation.

Xenocortication with human neurons enables circuit- and behaviour-level analysis of neurodevelopment in mice.

Wang et al. present an all-stem-cell strategy that vascularizes pancreatic islet organoids by integrating them with blood vessel organoids, enhancing β cell maturation and resilience and reversing diabetes in mice. The resulting model offers a platform to study islet-vascular biology in vitro and to advance transplantation therapies.

Epithelial surfaces are the primary sites of lytic herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection following initial exposure or reactivation from latency. To model this complex environment, we used human ha...

Recreating bone remodeling remains challenging in bone organoids. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Pinho et al. develop bone organoids within liquefied microcapsules that support osteoblast, osteocyte, and osteoclast differentiation without exogenous differentiation inducers. This model supports matrix deposition and resorption, enabling investigation of cellular interactions underlying bone remodeling.

Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Published online: 02 November 2026; doi:10.1038/s44222-026-00507-6Neural organoids can be used to characterize functional phenotypes across cellular and network scales, extending their applicability beyond studies of development and molecular identity. This Review examines optical and electrophysiological approaches for measuring neural organoid activity; presents a multiscale framework for evaluating network function; and discusses practical considerations for experimental design, data analysis and interpretation.

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Reprogramming existing brain support cells into neurons offers a novel way to combat brain degeneration in mice with Alzheimer’s disease

Translating inputs from tactile sensors into pulses that organoids could sense helped the cells recognize Braille letters, which could advance biohybrid computing.

npj Regenerative Medicine - Human iPSC-derived lens organoids recapitulate lens development and morphogenesis in vitro