written up in a Virtual-Strategy magazine here:
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2012/10/23/draper-laboratory-developing-%E2%80%9Cbrain-chip%E2%80%9D
The actual research abstract here:
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/lc/c2lc41033h
In this work, we describe the fabrication and working of a modular
microsystem that recapitulates the functions of the “Neurovascular
Unit”. The microdevice comprised of a vertical stack of poly
(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) neural parenchymal chamber separated by a
vascular channel via a microporous polycarbonate (PC) membrane. The
neural chamber housed a mixture of neurons (~4%), astrocytes (~95%), and
microglia (~1%). The vascular channel was lined with a layer of rat
brain microvascular endothelial cell line (RBE4). Cellular components in
neural chamber and vascular channel showed viability (>90%). The
neural cells fired inhibitory as well as excitatory potentials following
10 days of culture. The endothelial cells showed diluted-acetylated low
density lipoprotein (dil-a-LDL) uptake, expressed von Willebrand factor
(vWF) and zonula occludens (ZO-1) tight junctions, and showed decreased
Alexafluor™-conjugated dextran leakage across their barrier
significantly compared with controls (p < 0.05). When the vascular
layer was stimulated with TNF-α for 6h, about 75% of resident microglia
and astrocytes on the neural side were activated significantly (p <
0.05 compared to controls) recapitulating tissue-mimetic responses
resembling neuroinflammation. The impact of this microsystem lies in the
fact that this biomimetic neurovascular platform might not only be
harnessed for obtaining mechanistic insights for neurodegenerative
disorders, but could also serve as a potential screening tool for
central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics in toxicology and
neuroinfectious diseases.
I wonder how much different it is than the
Lab on a Chip?
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