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  • From Regulatory Enclaves to Corridor Anchors: ZEDEs as Strategic Catalysts in Global Supply‑Chain Diplomacy

    From Regulatory Enclaves to Corridor Anchors: ZEDEs as Strategic Catalysts in Global Supply‑Chain Diplomacy

    Special economic zones (SEZs) have long served as instruments of export promotion and foreign direct investment. Yet Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs) with their unique governance autonomy offer a new blueprint for anchoring and accelerating major trade corridors: IMEC (India–Middle East–Europe Corridor), INSTC (International North–South Transport Corridor), and the Middle Corridor across Central Asia and the Caucasus.

    ZEDEs combine legal innovation, administrative agility, and investment-friendly governance. Drawing lessons from Honduras, these zones have demonstrated the power of regulatory experimentation to attract FDI, stimulate job creation, and catalyze integrated infrastructure development.

    Anchoring Corridor Nodes

    Modern trade corridors have evolved beyond mere physical infrastructure, such as steel and concrete. Today, they require a robust and reliable regulatory framework that can facilitate the smooth flow of goods and services.

    This is where regulatory innovation comes into play, and zones like ZEDEs can play a crucial role. By implementing international best practices in customs, dispute resolution, and compliance frameworks, ZEDEs can significantly reduce border friction, making it easier for businesses to operate and thrive.

    Another key aspect of modern trade corridors is infrastructure integration. ZEDEs can serve as natural multimodal anchor points by co-locating ports, warehousing, logistics, and free-trade services.

    This integrated approach enables the efficient movement of goods, reducing transit times and costs, and increasing the overall competitiveness of businesses operating within the zone. By providing a one-stop shop for trade-related services, ZEDEs can streamline the logistics process, making it easier for companies to import and export goods.

    The strategic location of ZEDEs is also critical to their success. Zones positioned near transit chokepoints or node intersections can significantly enhance corridor throughput and efficiency. By leveraging their geographic location, ZEDEs can become key hubs for international trade, connecting businesses to new markets and customers.

    This, in turn, can drive economic growth, create jobs, and stimulate investment in the surrounding region. As modern trade corridors continue to evolve, the importance of regulatory innovation, infrastructure integration, and strategic geography will only continue to grow, making ZEDEs an attractive option for businesses and governments looking to stay ahead of the curve.

    Catalysts for Supply Chain Diplomacy

    ZEDEs are not only anchor points for trade corridors. Their development can be catalysts for economic growth, regional stability, and innovation. By offering investor-friendly regimes, ZEDEs can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and foster industrial clustering in key sectors such as logistics, finance, and manufacturing. This clustering effect can create a snowball effect, where businesses are drawn to the zone’s favourable conditions, leading to a concentration of industry expertise and resources.

    ZEDEs are also at the forefront of customs and trade facilitation innovation. They can pilot and test new simplified customs procedures, such as single-window and bonded warehousing, and then scale these projects regionally. This allows ZEDEs to stay ahead of the curve in terms of trade facilitation, making them attractive to businesses looking to streamline their logistics and supply chain operations.

    Furthermore, ZEDEs are well-positioned to pioneer green and digital logistics solutions, aligning with the sustainability goals of trade corridors. By investing in low-emission freight handling and digital trade platforms, ZEDEs can reduce their environmental footprint while increasing efficiency and competitiveness.

    This can include the adoption of electric or hybrid vehicles, the use of renewable energy sources, and the implementation of digital tools to optimize logistics and supply chain management. By embracing green and digital logistics, ZEDEs can become models for sustainable trade and economic development.

    One of the companies leading ZEDE development is Honduras Próspera Inc. They are the developer and guarantor behind Próspera ZEDE, a charter city on Roatán founded under Honduran ZEDE law.

    Backed by securing backing from prominent venture capitalists such as Balaji Srinivasan, Peter Thiel, and Marc Andreessen, the firm has launched Próspera Africa as it scales and seeks to bring its ZEDE model to the continent.

    Coupled with this international expansion, in January 2025, Próspera secured a strategic investment from Coinbase Ventures. This signals deep alignment between crypto-friendly regulation, economic freedom, and digital innovation. It strengthens Próspera’s global credibility, and it also boosts its capacity to pioneer crypto-digital zones that can be embedded within major trade corridors.

    Corridor-Specific Applications

    Along the IMEC, ZEDEs in the Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean can serve as digital-physical hubs, integrating transshipment, logistics, and re-export services. These zones would connect India, the Gulf, Israel, and Europe, not only physically but also through shared regulatory frameworks.

    Along the INSTC, located in Iran, Azerbaijan, or Russia, ZEDEs could facilitate customs harmonization and act as crucial multimodal transfer points, reducing costs and mitigating geopolitical risks.

    Along the Middle Corridor, in Central Asia and the Caucasus, ZEDEs can foster local industries, secure supply chains, and support logistics services, playing a key role in the corridor’s goal of tripling trade volumes by 2030.

    However, in terms of risks and prerequisites:

    Legal and Political Continuity:** ZEDE regimes need stable governance structures. The reversal of ZEDE laws in Honduras highlights this vulnerability. 

    Geopolitical Coordination: These ZEDEs must align with broader state strategies to avoid creating divisions among corridor stakeholders. 

    Sustainability and Inclusivity: As ZEDEs expand, their impact on local communities and ecosystems must be carefully managed.

    The transition of the globalization narrative from a “hyperconnected world” into geo-economic blocs bound by connector economies—a jurisdiction that functions as a crucial intermediary between different geopolitical blocs or markets—means the world is in an era of expanding supply chain diplomacy.

     ZEDEs offer modular, adaptive platforms that can transcend national boundaries. By anchoring corridors with agile governance and integrating digital platforms, ZEDEs like Próspera can reinforce connectivity, resilience, and regional transformation.

    Delivering on this promise requires robust legal safeguards, multilateral coordination, and sustainable design. But the payoff is profound: corridors anchored not only in steel but in forward-leaning governance.

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  • Apple CEO Tim Cook has created more shareholder value than Steve Jobs. But suddenly his weaknesses are on display in the AI era

    Apple CEO Tim Cook has created more shareholder value than Steve Jobs. But suddenly his weaknesses are on display in the AI era

    It seems impossible that Tim Cook’s legacy as Apple’s spectacularly successful CEO could be in jeopardy. But in recent months, and especially in recent days, the impossible has become at least conceivable.

    The latest tremors came when Apple announced chief operating officer Jeff Williams would retire by yearend after 27 years. Just a day before, the company’s top AI executive, Ruoming Pang, had left to join Meta, and weeks earlier, another high-level AI researcher, Tom Gunter, had also left. The image of a leadership exodus was forming.

    More broadly, Apple stock is down 7.2% over the past year, while the S&P is up 6.5% and the Nasdaq is up 12.9%.

    Those events brought some of Apple’s most worrisome weaknesses into the forefront. Above all: an apparent serious lag behind competitors incorporating AI into products and services. Last year, with Hollywood fanfare, the company introduced Apple Intelligence, a version of AI that only Apple, creator of the world’s most user-friendly products and services, could possibly create. But it isn’t working out that way. Playing down Apple Intelligence so far, the company has a partnership with OpenAI for some chores performed by Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and it has reportedly considered a partnership with Anthropic and partnering with or buying Perplexity AI.

    For a company of Apple’s scale and stature, lagging behind its major competitors on AI is like lagging behind the competition on the internet in 2000. AI is a general-purpose technology, and those things don’t come along very often. The internet was one. So were digital computing and electricity. They change the world, and they revolutionize the business landscape for every company.

    With that in mind, it becomes clear how Tim Cook could be one of the all-time greatest CEOs from 2011 to now yet might not be optimal for the AI era.

    As background, remember just how staggeringly successful Apple has been under Cook. When Steve Jobs made him CEO, the company was worth about $300 billion. Now it’s worth $3.2 trillion—a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 18.4% over 14 years. Few people realize that Cook has created far more shareholder wealth than Jobs did.

    But now look closer. Craig Moffett, a founder of the MoffettNathanson research firm, is one of the extremely few Wall Street analysts who have a Sell recommendation on Apple stock. He is also a Cook admirer. “By any normal metrics he has had a wildly, wildly successful tenure,” Moffett says. But then he examines how that success has been achieved. “They haven’t produced a major new product outside of possibly the earbuds in a decade,” he says. “Apple has done far more to innovate process than it has product over Tim Cook’s tenure.”

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  • Office 2021 + Windows 11 Pro

    Office 2021 + Windows 11 Pro

    TL;DR: Get both Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $44.97 through July 20.

    If your computer is still running the same setup it had in 2018, now’s your chance to breathe new life into it, without breaking the bank. For just $44.97, you can get the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 + Windows 11 Pro Bundle, giving you permanent access to two of Microsoft’s most powerful productivity tools.

    Let’s start with Office 2021 Pro. This suite includes everything from Word and Excel to PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, and Teams (free version). Whether you’re building reports, designing presentations, or wrangling data, Office 2021 has the tools to streamline your work. The ribbon interface and updated features make it easy to get started, whether you’re a spreadsheet expert or just trying to make your documents look less blah.

    Now pair that with a full version of Windows 11 Pro, and you’ve got a setup that’s fast, sleek, and smart. With features like Snap Layouts, advanced security, and support for virtual desktops, Windows 11 Pro is built for multitasking pros. You also get Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant that can help you write, research, and even change system settings with a simple command.

    This combo is great for anyone who uses their PC to actually get things done. And if your life moves fast, saving time and money is always a win.

    And yes, this is a one-time payment. No subscriptions. No monthly fees. Just a lifetime of pro-level performance for less than fifty bucks.

    Get MS Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $44.97 (reg. $418.99) through July 20.

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  • 2-in-1 Chromebook on sale | Mashable

    2-in-1 Chromebook on sale | Mashable

    TL;DR: Grab this rare Chromebook deal: the detachable touchscreen ASUS CM30 for just $169.97, complete with stylus, keyboard, and all-day battery life.

    If you’ve had your eye out for a lightweight, versatile Chromebook that doesn’t cost a small fortune, stop scrolling — this unicorn of a deal is worth grabbing before it disappears.

    The ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) is a sleek, new, open-box 2-in-1 device that delivers a surprising amount of power in a small, flexible package. Whether you’re juggling schoolwork, browser tabs, or just relaxing with a show, the MediaTek Kompanio 520 chip and 8GB RAM keep everything running smoothly.

    What makes this Chromebook special? It’s got a gorgeous 10.5-inch WUXGA touchscreen, a push-pop garaged stylus that charges quickly, and a detachable full-size keyboard with a magnetic stand. Translation: You can go from laptop mode to tablet mode in a snap — ideal for on-the-go multitasking or Netflix marathons in bed.

    It’s also loaded with practical features that make life easier. This includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, dual 5MP cameras, and USB-C + headphone jack ports. All that wrapped in a durable aluminum body that meets military-grade standards and includes 30 percent recycled materials.

    Oh, and the battery? It lasts up to 12 hours, so whether you’re commuting into the office or bouncing between classes, you’re covered all day long.

    As for the “open box” part, don’t worry. That just means it may have passed through retail shelves before landing in your hands, and it might be in alternative packaging. The product itself is still new, tested, and ready to roll.

    Get this ASUS Chromebook CM30 while it’s just $169.97 (reg. $329.99) with free shipping through July 15.

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  • Ratatouille and le grand aïoli: Matthew Ryle’s classic French dishes for Bastille Day | French food and drink

    Ratatouille and le grand aïoli: Matthew Ryle’s classic French dishes for Bastille Day | French food and drink

    When writing recipes, it’s good to get into the right headspace. The sky’s clear, it’s warm out (maybe not quite hot enough for my liking) and I’m sitting in the sun, possibly with a glass of rosé in hand. I’m transported to the French Riviera, and that glamorous, sun-drenched coastline, and it’s the perfect setting for two of the most summery French classics: ratatouille and grand aïoli, especially in the run-up to Bastille Day on 14 July. Ratatouille is a glorious riot of stewed vegetables, and I like to serve it with a vibrant French take on pesto. Le grand aïoli, meanwhile, is a feast of seasonal veg, boiled eggs, anchovies and plenty of garlicky mayo for dipping. Both make brilliant centrepieces, or to serve alongside your next barbecue.

    Le grand aïoli (pictured top)

    Originating from the south of France, this is the sunny summer counterpart to a charcuterie board. It’s a stunning spread centred around a rich, garlicky mayonnaise, as well as a celebration of vibrant seasonal vegetables, boiled eggs, salty anchovies and optional poached fish. Perfect for sharing, this Provençal classic brings bright flavours and a relaxed spirit to the table. Keep it simple or go all out; either way, a beautifully arranged platter is always impressive. Once you master the aïoli, you’ll find endless excuses to enjoy it beyond this dish – it’s truly addictive.

    Prep 10 min
    Cook 30 min
    Serves 4

    For the aïoli
    2 egg yolks
    20    ml white-wine vinegar
    10g dijon mustard
    1 garlic clove    , peeled and finely grated
    10g confit garlic (optional)
    340ml rapeseed oil
    10ml lemon juice
    Sea salt and black pepper

    For the salad
    2 baby gem lettuces
    1 fennel bulb, trimmed
    ½ cucumber
    1 bunch radishes
    50g green beans    , blanched
    1 small handful young fresh pea pods (about 10 in total), split open but left unpodded
    1 small handful baby carrots     (about 10 in total), trimmed
    4 eggs
    8 anchovy fillets     – any good ready-to-eat ones will do

    First make the aïoli. Put the egg yolks, vinegar, mustard, grated garlic and confit garlic, if using, in a blender or stick-blender jug. Start blending to break down and combine, then, with the motor running, slowly drizzle in the oil until the mixture thickens to a mayo-like consistency. Add the lemon juice to loosen it slightly; if it’s still too thick and you run out of lemon juice, add a splash of water. Continue blending until all the oil is incorporated and you have a thick, glossy aïoli. Taste, adjust the seasoning, if need be, then transfer to a bowl (if you’re making the aïoli ahead of time, cover and refrigerate).

    Wash and dry all the raw vegetables, then cut the lettuce, fennel and cucumber into bite-sized pieces.

    Carefully drop the eggs into a pan of boiling water, cook for eight minutes, then lift out and drop into iced water to cool. Carefully peel the eggs, then cut them in half.

    Arrange all the vegetables neatly on a large platter, and place the halved eggs yolk side up in and around them. Drape an anchovy fillet over the top of each egg and serve with the bowl of aïoli alongside, ready for dipping.

    Ratatouille with sauce pistou

    Matthew Ryle’s take on ratatouille features a herby pistou and an untraditional layer of pipérade.

    Ratatouille, the classic Provençal vegetable stew, is bursting with the flavours of summer. Traditionally from Nice, it’s ideal for sharing at sunny gatherings, both as a colourful side or as a light lunch in itself with some good bread for company. My take on it has a little twist in that it also features a homemade pipérade, a rich pepper and tomato sauce, as a flavourful base and it’s finished with a bright basil pistou, to create a dish that looks stunning and tastes even better. Every bite should take you straight to the south of France.

    Prep 30 min
    Cook 40 min
    Serves 4

    For the pipérade
    20ml olive oil
    90g red onion     (about ½ onion), peeled and thinly sliced
    15g garlic (about 3 cloves), peeled and thinly sliced
    220g red pepper (about 2), stalks, seeds and pith removed and discarded, flesh thinly sliced
    220g yellow pepper (about 2), stalks, seeds and pith removed and discarded, flesh thinly sliced
    Sea salt and pepper
    2 tsp smoked paprika
    400g tin chopped tomatoes
    15ml red-wine vinegar
    5g basil leaves     (about 1 tbsp)

    For the ratatouille
    1 small aubergine (about 150g)
    2 medium courgettes     (about 100g each)
    4 plum tomatoes
    25ml olive oil

    For the pistou
    70g basil leaves (from about 1 big bunch)
    50ml olive oil
    ½ garlic clove    , finely grated
    Finely grated zest and juice of ½ lemon

    Start with the pipérade, which, if need be, can be made well in advance. Put the olive oil in a large wide saucepan on a medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic, and cook gently, stirring, for five minutes, until softened. Turn up the heat, add the sliced peppers, season lightly and cook, still stirring, until they soften. Stir in the smoked paprika, cook, stirring, for two minutes, then add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Finish with the red-wine vinegar and basil, season to taste and set aside.

    Now start the ratatouille. Cut the aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes into 5mm-thick slices. Spread the pipérade in the base of a 25cm x 20cm baking dish, then neatly arrange the sliced vegetables on top, alternating the slices to create a pretty pattern. Drizzle the olive oilall over the top, season generously, then cover with foil or a lid and bake in a 220C (200C fan)/425F/gas 7 oven for 20 minutes. Remove the cover, bake for another 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and lightly caramelised, then remove and leave to cool.

    For the pistou, put the basil and olive oil in a blender and blitz smooth. Add the grated garlic and the lemon zest and juice, and blend again.

    Spoon the pistou generously over the baked ratatouille and serve while it’s just-warm or at room temperature.,

    • Matthew Ryle is chef/partner at Maison François and Cafe François, both in London. His debut book, French Classics: Easy and Elevated Dishes to Cook at Home, is published next month by Bloomsbury at £26. To order a copy for £23.40, go to guardianbookshop.com

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  • Why is the blue-ringed octopus so deadly?

    Why is the blue-ringed octopus so deadly?

    Octopuses have gotten a reputation for being cunning camouflagers and intelligent creatures. But some are known for a more ominous reason: They’re deadly.

    One group — the blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena) — is especially dangerous. But what makes this creature so lethal?

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  • Design and Implementation of an Electronic Patient Record via Adaptation of Existing Hospital Software

    Design and Implementation of an Electronic Patient Record via Adaptation of Existing Hospital Software


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  • Beauty Marks: The Best Beauty Looks of The Week

    Beauty Marks: The Best Beauty Looks of The Week

    Welcome back to Beauty Marks: Vogue’s weekly edition of the best moments in celebrity beauty, from Vogue editors’ IG feeds, and all the glam of the fashion and pop culture landscapes. Each week, we curate the nail art to pin for your next nail appointment, new recruits to ‘Team Bob’, and major red carpet moments from the week’s most glamorous affairs. As always, it’s as much about celebrity beauty as it is about the makeup artists, hairstylists, and nail artists, as well as the creators crafting the trends you’re about to see everywhere.

    This week, the haute couture shows brought the heat to an already sweltering Paris. The beauty front was just as intricate: Veiled, wrapped up visages at Glenn Martens’s debut vision for Margiela, Schiaparelli’s oil slick lips by Pat McGrath, ’20s Berlin thin brows and doll eyes at Giorgio Armani Privé. Mei Kawajiri (also known as Nails by Mei) on Instagram) brought the cloaked, gilded masked figures to her fingers with tiny model replicas on her manicure. Guests of couture week also stepped up their glam: Hairstylist to the stars Tyron Machhausen gave Chanel girl Margaret Qualley a deep side-parted, long and lushly straight bob, curling in the ends for a sweet and nostalgic look. For the Jacquemus show, Issac Poleon gave Bb Trickz a silky up-do and Bari Khalique crafted a dewy, juicy makeup look. Kim Kardashian walked Demna’s last Balenciaga runway with gelled down, pinned old Hollywood bob.

    Elsewhere, Doechii took to the cover of British Vogue with six glorious hair transformations by Jawara Wauchope and a glow by Jamal Scott. In New York, Jake Dupont gabe Julia Fox a gothic glam for the Marc Jacobs show. On the nail scene, a cute catch of the day set by Osa Nails.

    Scroll through the week’s best of celebrity beauty and pop culture’s glam below, and head to the app to vote for your favorite.


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  • Pakistan unveils results of first G6PD pilot project to combat malaria

    Pakistan unveils results of first G6PD pilot project to combat malaria

    ISLAMABAD – The Directorate of Malaria Control Pakistan on Saturday released the results of the country’s first G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) pilot project aimed at improving malaria treatment protocols in high-risk districts.

    According to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, a meeting on malaria prevention was held where the Directorate of Malaria Control, in collaboration with the global health organization Medicines for Malaria Venture, presented findings from the pilot project conducted across nine malaria-affected districts of Pakistan.

    Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Global Fund, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and other national and international stakeholders attended the meeting.

    Director of the National Malaria Control Programme, Dr. Mukhtar Bharth, briefed the participants and explained that G6PD testing can be effectively integrated into Pakistan’s primary healthcare system. The pilot project focused on improving treatment outcomes by ensuring proper diagnosis before prescribing specific anti-malarial drugs.

    Dr. Bharth emphasized that the devastating floods of 2022 led to over 2.8 million malaria cases, further highlighting the urgency of strengthening malaria prevention and treatment strategies. He said the results of the G6PD pilot project are being aligned with Pakistan’s national health strategy.

    He also explained that previously, malaria patients in Pakistan were treated with a 14-day course of Primaquine.

     However, most patients discontinued the medication after just two or three days, leading to incomplete recovery. This global challenge of patients not completing their prescribed course of treatment has hampered malaria eradication efforts.

    Dr. Bharth said the introduction of Tafenoquine — a single-dose anti-malarial drug — would mark significant progress in the fight against malaria. Pakistan aims to join the list of countries adopting this drug following comprehensive research and clinical evaluation.

    He also announced that Pakistan will host the International Conference on Malaria Elimination in 2026, inviting global scientists, experts, and delegates to share knowledge and strengthen global cooperation in malaria eradication.

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  • Researchers grow 400+ brain cell types—a leap for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research

    Researchers grow 400+ brain cell types—a leap for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research

    Nerve cells are not just nerve cells. Depending on how finely we distinguish, there are several hundred to several thousand different types of nerve cell in the human brain according to the latest calculations. These cell types vary in their function, in the number and length of their cellular appendages, and in their interconnections. They emit different neurotransmitters into our synapses and, depending on the region of the brain – for example, the cerebral cortex or the midbrain – different cell types are active.

    When scientists produced nerve cells from stem cells in Petri dishes for their experiments in the past, it was not possible to take their vast diversity into account. Until now, researchers had only developed procedures for growing a few dozen different types of nerve cell in vitro. They achieved this using genetic engineering or by adding signalling molecules to activate particular cellular signalling pathways. However, they never got close to achieving the diversity of hundreds or thousands of different nerve cell types that actually exists.

    “Neurons derived from stem cells are frequently used to study diseases. But up to now, researchers have often ignored which precise types of neuron they are working with,” says Barbara Treutlein, Professor at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich in Basel. However, this is not the best approach to such work. “If we want to develop cell culture models for diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and depression, we need to take the specific type of nerve cell involved into consideration.”

    Systematic screening was the key to success

    Treutlein and her team have now successfully produced over 400 different types of nerve cell. In doing so, the scientists have paved the way for more precise basic neurological research with cell culture experiments.

    The ETH researchers achieved this by working with a culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells that had been generated from blood cells. In these cells, they used genetic engineering to activate certain neuronal regulator genes and treated the cells with various morphogens, a special class of signalling molecules. Treutlein and her team took a systematic approach, using seven morphogens in different combinations and concentrations in their screening experiments. This resulted in almost 200 different sets of experimental conditions.

    Morphogens

    Morphogens are messengers that are known from research into embryonic development. They are not distributed uniformly within an embryo but occur in a variety of concentrations forming spatial patterns. In this way, they define the position of cells within the embryo, for example whether a cell is near the body axis or in the back, abdomen, head or torso. Accordingly, morphogens help to determine what grows where in the embryo.

    The researchers used various analyses to prove that they had produced over 400 different types of nerve cell in their experiment. They examined the RNA (and therefore genetic activity) at the level of individual cells, as well as the external appearance of cells and their function: for example, which type of cell appendage they had in which quantities and which electric nerve impulses they emitted.

    The researchers then compared their data with information from databases of neurons from the human brain. By doing this, they were able to identify the types of nerve cell that had been created, such as those found in the peripheral nervous system or brain cells and the part of the brain they come from, whether they perceive pain, cold or movement, and so on.

    In-vitro neurons for active ingredient research

    Treutlein clarifies that they are still a long way off producing all types of nerve cell that exist in vitro. Nonetheless, the researchers now have access to a much larger number of different cell types than they had before.

    They would like to use in-vitro nerve cells to develop cell culture models for studying serious neurological conditions, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, sleep disorders and multiple sclerosis. Cell culture models of this kind are also of great interest in pharmaceutical research for testing the effects of new active compounds in cell cultures without animal testing, with the ultimate aim of one day being able to cure these conditions.

    In the future, the cells could also be used for cell replacement therapy, which involves replacing sick or dead nerve cells in the brain with new human cells.

    But there is a challenge to overcome before this can happen: the researchers often produced a mixture of multiple different types of nerve cell in their experiments. They are now working to optimise their method so that each experimental condition only produces one specific cell type. They already have some initial ideas as to how this might be achieved.

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