RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Human organotypic brain slice culture: a novel framework for environmental research in neuro-oncology JF Life Science Alliance JO Life Sci. Alliance FD Life Science Alliance LLC SP e201900305 DO 10.26508/lsa.201900305 VO 2 IS 4 A1 Ravi, Vidhya M A1 Joseph, Kevin A1 Wurm, Julian A1 Behringer, Simon A1 Garrelfs, Nicklas A1 d’Errico, Paolo A1 Naseri, Yashar A1 Franco, Pamela A1 Meyer-Luehmann, Melanie A1 Sankowski, Roman A1 Shah, Mukesch Johannes A1 Mader, Irina A1 Delev, Daniel A1 Follo, Marie A1 Beck, Jürgen A1 Schnell, Oliver A1 Hofmann, Ulrich G A1 Heiland, Dieter Henrik YR 2019 UL http://www.life-science-alliance.org/content/2/4/e201900305.abstract AB When it comes to the human brain, models that closely mimic in vivo conditions are lacking. Living neuronal tissue is the closest representation of the in vivo human brain outside of a living person. Here, we present a method that can be used to maintain therapeutically resected healthy neuronal tissue for prolonged periods without any discernible changes in tissue vitality, evidenced by immunohistochemistry, genetic expression, and electrophysiology. This method was then used to assess glioblastoma (GBM) progression in its natural environment by microinjection of patient-derived tumor cells into cultured sections. The result closely resembles the pattern of de novo tumor growth and invasion, drug therapy response, and cytokine environment. Reactive transformation of astrocytes, as an example of the cellular nonmalignant tumor environment, can be accurately simulated with transcriptional differences similar to those of astrocytes isolated from acute GBM specimens. In a nutshell, we present a simple method to study GBM in its physiological environment, from which valuable insights can be gained. This technique can lead to further advancements in neuroscience, neuro-oncology, and pharmacotherapy.