A team of Austrian and British scientists have created 3-D models of the (embryonic) human brain, and given them the fantastic name of “cerebral organoids”. I’ve written about these in The Scientist so head over there for the details. In the meantime, here’s an explainer to clarify what these things are, and what they are definitely not.

An organoid is a lab-grown, three-dimensional ball of cells that has some of the features of a normal organ. In recent years, scientists have made organoids for intestines, kidneys and eyes. A “cerebral organoid” is the name of the brain version. It would also be a good insult, but a rubbish name for a Jaeger.

Yes. The organoids look like white, pea-sized balls