Madeline Lancaster serves as a group leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Her research is centered on human brain development, employing cerebral organoids—3D tissues created from human pluripotent stem cells that faithfully replicate the structure of the early embryonic brain. These miniature brain models offer a platform to study neurodevelopmental disorders such as microcephaly, autism, and intellectual disability. Through this approach, valuable insights into disease origins and potential therapeutic avenues are uncovered.