Normally, if someone keeps a mini‑fridge full of brains, your first instinct is to call the police. But when that person is Dr. Alysson Muotri of UC San Diego, your next thought is, “Tell me more.”

Muotri is fascinated by the human brain. His research explores how the brain evolved, how it functions, and what happens when development goes awry.

One major focus is autism. Motivated in part by his son’s autism diagnosis, Muotri has developed ways to study what happens inside affected cells. That work already points to potential new treatments.

And those mini‑brains in his lab? They’re brain organoids—small clusters of neurons and supporting cells that mimic key features of the human brain. These models help researchers study brain organization, cell signaling, and neural development. Muotri has even sent some of them into space.

He discusses all of this—as well as how modern human brains compare with those of Neanderthals—on the latest episode of Talking ‘Bout (re)Generation.

It’s a fascinating conversation. Enjoy.