Midbrain
Dopaminergic biology
A regional model for studies centred on ventral midbrain identity and dopaminergic neurons.
Midbrain products ↓Neurological System
Brain Organoid Portfolio
Region-specific models and flexible formats for different study needs
abm offers midbrain, dorsal forebrain, and ventral forebrain organoid models, with options for in-house differentiation or finished Day 40 organoids. Each region supports a distinct area of neuroscience research while the two formats accommodate different levels of stem cell culture capability and project timelines.
Three brain regions for distinct research applications
Each model is patterned toward a defined brain region and associated neuronal population, providing a more targeted system for region-specific studies.
Dorsal Forebrain
Cortical development
A forebrain model that supports studies of neuronal differentiation and developing cerebral cortex biology.
Dorsal Forebrain products ↓Ventral Forebrain
Interneuron biology
A ventral forebrain/MGE-associated model with markers relevant to GABAergic interneuron progenitor specification.
Ventral Forebrain products ↓Dorsal and ventral forebrain organoids can also be co-cultured as assembloids to study interneuron migration and interactions between brain regions.
Two formats for different lab workflows
The same regional biology is available as differentiation media for in-house generation or as finished Day 40 organoids for direct use in downstream studies.
Differentiation Kits
Full protocol control
Differentiation and maintenance media support organoid generation from a lab's own hiPSC/hESC line.
- Designed for labs with established hiPSC/hESC culture capability.
- Well suited to repeated batches and protocol customization.
- Approximately 40 days of in-house differentiation.
Ready-to-Use Organoids
Ready for downstream experiments
Finished Day 40 organoids provide a ready-to-use option without an in-house differentiation workflow.
- No in-house stem cell culture capability required for organoid generation.
- Well suited to single studies and fixed project timelines.
- No hands-on organoid production time.
Scientific support is available for questions about region, format, and experimental fit. Talk to a scientist →
Brain Organoid Products
The portfolio includes differentiation and maintenance media for in-house workflows, together with finished Day 40 organoids for midbrain, dorsal forebrain, and ventral forebrain studies.
| Product | Region | Format | Cat. # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midbrain Organoids Differentiation, maintenance, and ready-to-use organoids | |||
| Human Midbrain Organoid Differentiation Medium Kit | Midbrain | Kit | TM216 |
| Human Midbrain Organoid Maintenance Medium Kit | Midbrain | Kit | TM217 |
| Human Midbrain Organoids | Midbrain | Day 40 | R0500 |
| Dorsal Forebrain Organoids Differentiation, maintenance, and ready-to-use organoids | |||
| Human Dorsal Forebrain Organoid Differentiation Medium Kit | Dorsal Forebrain | Kit | TM226 |
| Human Forebrain Organoid Maintenance Medium Kit | Dorsal / Ventral Forebrain | Kit | TM227 |
| Human Dorsal Forebrain Organoids | Dorsal Forebrain | Day 40 | R0501 |
| Ventral Forebrain Organoids Differentiation and ready-to-use organoids | |||
| Human Ventral Forebrain Organoid Differentiation Medium Kit | Ventral Forebrain | Kit | TM228 |
| Human Ventral Forebrain Organoids | Ventral Forebrain | Day 40 | R0502 |
Research Support
Custom models and complementary workflow materials
abm supports projects beyond the standard portfolio through custom organoid development and complementary products for organoid culture and handling.
Custom Organoid Services
Custom organoid models
Custom projects can include different brain regions, patient-derived or disease-specific cell lines, custom differentiation timepoints, and scales beyond the standard catalogue.
Supporting Materials
Complementary culture materials
Supporting products are available for organoid culture, handling, dissociation, and 3D workflow setup.
| Product | Cat. # |
|---|---|
| StemRelease™ Dissociation Reagent | TM097 |
| 3DCelMatrix™ | TM076 |
| SpheroWell™ 96 Well Plate | G7540 |
Validation across each brain region
Each region is assessed using qPCR, immunofluorescence, and brightfield morphology to support region-specific patterning, neuronal differentiation, and structural integrity.
Midbrain validation — FOXA2 / TH / neuronal markers
The marker profile supports ventral midbrain patterning, neuronal differentiation, and dopaminergic characteristics.
TM216 Differentiation Kit TM217 Maintenance R0500 Day 40 Organoids
Dorsal forebrain validation — neuronal differentiation / cortical model
The data support a robust neuronal population and progression toward neuronal maturation.
TM226 Differentiation Kit TM227 Maintenance R0501 Day 40 Organoids
Ventral forebrain validation — NKX2.1 / neuronal maturation
The marker profile supports ventral forebrain-associated patterning and successful generation of a neuron-rich culture.
TM228 Differentiation Kit TM227 Maintenance R0502 Day 40 Organoids
Why choose abm brain organoids?
Made In-House
Differentiation kits and ready-to-use organoids are built around the same underlying process.
Validated by Design
Each region is assessed using region-appropriate markers and morphology.
Accessible Study Sizes
Formats are designed to fit pilot studies or single experiments without a bulk commitment.
Three Regions
Source midbrain, dorsal forebrain, and ventral forebrain models from one portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions Answers about brain regions, available formats, validation, and research applications.
What is a human brain organoid?
A human brain organoid is a lab-grown, three-dimensional tissue model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that recreates structural and cellular features of a specific region of the developing human brain.
What's the difference between midbrain, dorsal forebrain, and ventral forebrain organoids?
Each models a different brain region and cell population: midbrain organoids are enriched in dopaminergic neurons and used primarily for Parkinson's disease research; dorsal forebrain organoids model the developing cerebral cortex and are used for autism and schizophrenia research; ventral forebrain organoids are enriched in GABAergic interneurons and used for epilepsy and interneuron biology research.
What's the difference between a differentiation kit and a ready-to-use organoid?
A differentiation kit provides the media and supplements to generate your own organoids from your own stem cell line, typically over about 40 days. A ready-to-use organoid is a finished, Day 40 organoid that abm has already produced — you receive it ready for your experiment, with no differentiation protocol required.
Do I need stem cell culture experience?
To use a differentiation kit, yes — you'll need hiPSC or hESC culture capability in your lab. To use a ready-to-use organoid, no stem cell culture experience is required.
What's the difference between a region-specific organoid and a generic cerebral organoid?
A region-specific organoid is guided toward a single target brain region and cell population, giving more consistent, disease-relevant composition. A generic or “unguided” cerebral organoid self-organizes into a broader, more heterogeneous mix of cell types across regions.
What applications are brain organoids used for?
Common applications include Parkinson's disease research, autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia research, epilepsy and interneuron biology, drug discovery and compound screening, and neurotoxicity testing.
Can dorsal and ventral forebrain organoids be combined?
Yes. Dorsal and ventral forebrain organoids can be co-cultured as assembloids to study interneuron migration and interactions between brain regions.
Are abm's brain organoids validated?
Yes. Each region is evaluated against region-appropriate markers and assessed for correct morphology before release.
How long does it take to receive a ready-to-use organoid?
Ready-to-use organoids ship within a defined delivery window from order — see the individual product page for current lead times.
Are these products approved for clinical or diagnostic use?
No. All abm brain organoid products are labelled Research Use Only (RUO) and are not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic use.
What if I need a different brain region or a custom organoid model?
abm's Custom Organoid Services team can work with you on custom regions, cell lines, timepoints, or scale beyond the standard catalog. Contact us to discuss your project.
Brain organoid solutions for your study
Standard region-specific products are available alongside scientific support for custom models, format selection, and project planning.