Korean scientists develop miniature bat organs in lab dishes to detect deadly pandemic viruses before they jump to humans, potentially preventing the next COVID-19.
Key Takeaways
- Researchers at South Korea’s Institute for Basic Science have created the world’s largest bat organoid platform, featuring mini-organs from five bat species to study how deadly viruses behave in these animals.
- The platform successfully isolated two previously undiscovered bat viruses, including one that couldn’t grow in conventional lab cultures, demonstrating its unique capabilities.
- Over 75% of new infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, with bats serving as natural hosts to dangerous viruses like SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and influenza A.
- This breakthrough allows for safer study of dangerous pathogens and more accurate testing of antiviral drugs, supporting President Trump’s emphasis on pandemic preparedness and biodefense.
- The research team plans to expand their biobank to include more bat species from global viral hotspots, creating a standardized resource for international biosecurity efforts.
Revolutionary Bat Mini-Organs: A New Weapon Against Future Pandemics
Scientists in South Korea have developed an innovative platform using lab-grown bat organs that could transform our ability to detect and defend against deadly viruses before they spread to humans. The research team at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) has created what they call “organoids” – miniature versions of bat organs that function similarly to their natural counterparts – derived from five different bat species collected in Korea and Europe. These replicas include multiple organ systems known to harbor dangerous viruses: the trachea, lungs, kidneys, and small intestines.
“Reconstructing bat organ physiology in vitro empowers us to dissect zoonotic virus biology with unprecedented precision, a vital step toward mitigating future outbreaks before they reach humans,” said Dr. Koo Bon-Kyoung.
The platform’s significance cannot be overstated. While previous research relied on single-organ models or conventional cell cultures, this comprehensive approach allows scientists to study how viruses behave differently across various bat organs and species. This level of detail explains why certain viruses remain harmless in bats yet become deadly when they cross into humans – critical knowledge that could have prevented the COVID-19 pandemic that cost millions of lives and trillions in economic damage worldwide.
Uncovering Hidden Viral Threats
The platform has already proven its exceptional value by successfully isolating and characterizing two previously unknown bat viruses. Most remarkably, one of these viruses could not be cultivated in standard laboratory cell cultures but thrived in the organoid environment. This breakthrough demonstrates how this technology can detect threats that would otherwise remain invisible using conventional methods, potentially identifying the next pandemic virus before it emerges in humans.
“This platform lets us isolate viruses, study infections, and test drugs all within one system – something you can’t do with ordinary lab cell models. By mimicking the bat’s natural environment, it boosts the accuracy and real-world value of infectious disease research,” said KIM Hyunjoon.
The statistics are sobering: over 75% of new infectious diseases affecting humans originate in animals, with bats being natural reservoirs for some of the most dangerous pathogens known to science, including SARS-CoV-2 (which caused COVID-19), MERS-CoV, hantavirus, and various strains of influenza. Understanding how these viruses function within bats is critical for preventing future outbreaks, particularly as human expansion continues to encroach on wildlife habitats, increasing the likelihood of dangerous spillover events.
A Platform for Enhanced Pandemic Prevention
Beyond virus discovery, the organoid platform offers unprecedented capabilities for developing and testing antiviral treatments. The researchers have developed a method to convert their three-dimensional organoids into two-dimensional cultures that enable rapid screening of potential drugs. This approach provides more accurate predictions of drug efficacy since it tests compounds in an environment that closely resembles the original host species, rather than in artificial laboratory conditions.
“With these standardized and scalable bat organoids, we aim to systematically identify novel bat-origin viruses and screen antiviral candidates targeting pathogens with pandemic potential,” said Dr. CHOI Young Ki.
The Korean research team is now expanding their biobank to include more bat species from viral emergence hotspots around the world. Their goal is to create a standardized, scalable resource accessible to international researchers and public health officials – a critical biosecurity asset that aligns with President Trump’s repeated calls for stronger pandemic preparedness. By creating a global resource for studying dangerous viruses in their natural hosts, this initiative promises to transform our ability to predict, prepare for, and ultimately prevent future pandemics before they devastate communities and economies worldwide.
