Organoids are miniature, self-organizing 3D tissue models grown from stem cells that recapitulate key structural and functional features of a real organ. This 2D view samples the same colony grid from directly above: cell colour encodes local growth (height), and a bright ring marks each cell once it crosses the differentiation threshold.
height(t+1) = height(t) + cocktail*proliferation*scaffoldSupport
- Colony grid resolution — how finely the flat stem-cell aggregate is sampled to track local growth.
- Differentiation target — the fraction of cells needing to commit to a specialized lineage for the organoid to count as 'mature'.
- Growth factor cocktail — the mix of signalling molecules (Wnt, EGF, Noggin...) driving proliferation and patterning.
- Matrix scaffold support — how well the surrounding extracellular matrix (e.g. Matrigel) supports self-organization; it damps runaway growth.
Patient-derived tumor organoids are now used to test which chemotherapy regimen a specific patient's cancer will respond to, days before the clinical decision has to be made.