We have shown that HCMV primarily infects the TBR2+ cells in the SVZ of the brain organoids and that HCMV infection of the brain organoids disrupts the organization of the SVZ and the formation of proper cortical layers, suggesting that HCMV targets predominantly neural progenitors in the SVZ, thereby impairing cortical development. This evidence concerns the gene EOMES and cytomegalovirus infection.