Construction, Applications and Research Advances in Retinal Organoids

ZHANG Yuhong^1,2, JIN Shibo², LI Yan^3,4,5, BAO Weiying⁶*, ZHAO Yongwang¹*, ZHU Lili^1,2,3*

(¹Department of Ophthalmology, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; ²Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; ³Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; ⁴Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; ⁵Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; ⁶Department of Hematology, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China)

Abstract:

Retinal organoids, as three-dimensional in vitro models derived from stem cell technology, can faithfully recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of the human retina. Recent advancements in stem cell technology, gene editing, and multi-omics analytical approaches have significantly expanded their applications in developmental biology, disease modeling, drug screening, and personalized medicine. With continuous technological breakthroughs, retinal organoids are poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in advancing novel therapeutic strategies for retinal disorders. This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress, focusing on differentiation protocols and methodologies of retinal organoids, their applications in disease research, while also discussing future directions and existing challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2025.09.0013