China3D printingNet May 26th, a stem cell research project led by Aston University is being developedNano3D printingTechnology, they claim that this technology can revolutionize neuroscience and the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s and dementia.
The Meso-Brain project funded by the European Union aims to generate customizable3D printingThe stem cells are derived from neural networks to produce a new generation of accurate modeling and testing tools.
The project hopes to combine human stem cell biology, nanoscale3D printing, Cutting-edge research in computer network modeling and light sheet microscopy to solve the limitations of current neuron culture technology, so as to discover new treatment options that can alleviate brain dysfunction in the long term.
Meso-Brain hopes to unearth meaningful and practical insights into the function of the brain, and will eventually enable researchers to model the brain network more accurately than ever before.
Midbrain project concept. The picture comes from the midbrain.
Cell3D printing
Stem cells usually serve as the body’s repair system, and without specialization, they can develop into various types of cells. In this way, if necessary, stem cells can develop into specialized cells such as blood, muscle and brain cells.
As a means to take advantage of these ideal characteristics, Cell 3D printingThe field is being influenced by researchers and3D printingThe company is paying more and more attention, especially in regenerative medicine and bioprinting applications.
E.g,3D printingThe machine OEM 3D system announced a breakthrough in its “from printing to perfusion” bioprinting platform earlier this year, which can now quickly produce full-size human lung scaffolds that can be perfused with living cells to create tissue.At the same time, scientists at the University of Buffalo developed a new3D bioprintingMethod, this method can reduce the time required to create a cell-filled hydrogel structure, thereby making it possible to3D printingThe organs are closer to reality.
Elsewhere, researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a new technology that can3D printingA bone-like structure containing living cells, which may be used in bone tissue engineering and disease modeling. A new type of bio-ink created by Lund University can support the growth of new cells and blood vessels once they are transplanted into new materials
Similar to the Meso-Brain project, medical technology company Fluicell, R&D company Cellectricon and Karolinska Institutet have previously deployed3D bioprinting, In order to arrange nerve brain cells into complex patterns to model the progression of neurological diseases.
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A series of cell-based structures” alt=”Using Fluicell’s Biopixlar platform, scientists can accurately
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Using Fluicell’s Biopixlar platform, scientists can accurately3D printingA series of cell-based structures (pictured). Picture from Fluicell.
Midbrain Project
The project was first initiated by Aston University in 2016, and its goal is to use nanoscale3D printingTo replicate the neural network of the brain. Since then, the project has received further funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 FET-Open program to accelerate the pace of neuroscience research and drug development.
The project is coordinated by Aston University and consists of six partners from three countries, including human cell culture expert Axol Bioscience, digital service provider Kite Innovation, Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), University of Barcelona and LZH Laser Zentrum Hannover.
Meso-Brain combines “revolutionary” tools for microfabrication, neuron network development and monitoring, and functional analysis to reveal 3D human neuron networks with customized features.
Through Meso-Brain, the alliance is developing a new type of neural culture and interaction interface system integrated with conductive polymers, which will facilitate electrical stimulation and recording of individual cells.
In the naturally developed circuits of the brain, neurons and connections are usually configured first, and then gradually perfected over time in response to chemical and electrical activities.To be in the researcher’s own3D printingThis process is replicated on the scaffold. Stem cell-derived neurons and astrocytes use chemical information and electrical activities to promote and drive the development of functional networks, thereby developing neurons and astrocytes at specific cytophilic points cell.
After this process, a newly developed mathematical formula will be used to draw a functional connection diagram to verify3D printingFunction of neural network structure.
3D printingThe customizable properties of the scaffold enable fluorescence imaging and interrogation with photonic and optical methods, so it is possible to see how neurons interact in real time.
Model of human vasculature created using “print to perfusion process” (picture from United Therapeutics)
Midbrain’s impact on the future
It is hoped that the research and development within Meso-Brain will enable researchers to accurately and dynamically model the brain network to identify neurons in various dysfunctional states and test their response to new drugs and other therapies.According to the project partners, the development of human 3D neuron networks with physiologically relevant and reproducible structures and activities may be a “foundation” for the scientific community, allowing large-scale scientific investigations of the functions of human brain networks .The results of the project also hope to promote large-scale drug testing of human cells and human disease models from patients’ stem cells, thereby ultimately promoting the advancement of nerve transplantation technology for the treatment and repair of the central nervous system.Ultimately, researchers believe that the midbrain can help understand and treat a range of neurological diseases, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury.
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