It sounds like science fiction, but it’s real: an Israeli biotech startup called Itay&Beyond is growing synthetic brains—from urine. Why? To revolutionize how we diagnose and treat complex neurological disorders like autism, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s.
The company’s secret? A cutting-edge technology called “brain-on-a-chip” that uses stem cells extracted from urine samples to grow functional neural networks—essentially mini brains that think, respond, and learn.
Urine to Brain? Here’s How It Works
Instead of relying on invasive biopsies, Itay&Beyond uses a much gentler approach. They collect urine samples from patients (yes, just pee!) and reprogram the cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs are then transformed into tiny 3D brain tissues that simulate real human neural activity.
These mini brains are then embedded on a chip, where they’re electrically stimulated and monitored. The chip records their responses, creating a closed-loop system that mimics how real human brains behave.
Why This Changes Everything for Neurological Research
One of the biggest challenges in brain science is that every brain is different. Diagnosing and treating mental and neurological conditions often involves trial and error. But now, by creating personalized synthetic brains, scientists can test how a specific individual’s neurons react to various medications or stimuli.
Itay&Beyond even teaches these mini-brains to play video games. Yes, you read that right. By observing how synthetic brains respond to games, researchers can distinguish between networks derived from patients with autism or epilepsy and those from neurotypical controls.
This breakthrough means doctors could one day test treatments on your synthetic brain before ever prescribing them to you. That’s a huge step toward truly personalized medicine.
Collaborations and Real-World Impact
This isn’t just happening in a lab. The company is already working with top hospitals, including Hadassah University Medical Center and Schneider Children’s Medical Center, and conducting tests with real volunteer patients under medical supervision.
The applications are enormous:
- Faster diagnosis of conditions like autism and schizophrenia
- Safer testing of experimental drugs without endangering patients
- Customized treatment plans based on how your brain reacts
What’s Next?
This approach could redefine how we treat the brain. By combining stem cell science, AI, and bioengineering, Itay&Beyond is creating a future where neurological and psychiatric conditions are diagnosed earlier, treated smarter, and understood like never before.
And to think—it all starts with a urine sample.
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Article derived from: Hennessey, Z. (2025, March 25). Why is this startup growing synthetic brains from urine? – ISRAEL21c. ISRAEL21c. https://www.israel21c.org/why-is-this-startup-growing-synthetic-brains-from-urine/
