Self-formation of layered neural structures in three-dimensional culture of ES cells

► Rostral forebrain is a default differentiation direction of ES cell culture. ► ES cell-derived telencephalic progenitors generate cortical neurons. ► Sequential commitments of cortical neurons also occur in ES cell culture. ► 3D ES cell culture enables self-formation of layered cortical and retinal structure. ► Optic cup structure is also formed by self-organization in 3D ES cell culture.