Investigation of complex neuronal circuits as models for stem cell therapeutics
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: School of Science
Abstract
There is an urgent need for research into neurodegenerative diseases, however our lack of understanding of complex brain circuitry restricts modelling and evaluation for future healthcare strategies.
This project will advance current brain-on-a-chip devices, using micro-fabrication technologies to precisely engineer complex living neural circuits. Multiple cellular components will be manipulated in culture to define an artificial living neuronal cell circuit mimicking those involved in known aging neuropathologies. The complexity of the tissue will be designed specifically to enable control cellular connectivity. These will be used as functional models for comparison between healthy and diseased tissue, enabling evaluation of therapeutic strategies within treated segments of the neural circuit and the network as a whole. Real-time and long-term evaluation will provide an evidence-base for a step-changing pre-clinical screening method.
This project will advance current brain-on-a-chip devices, using micro-fabrication technologies to precisely engineer complex living neural circuits. Multiple cellular components will be manipulated in culture to define an artificial living neuronal cell circuit mimicking those involved in known aging neuropathologies. The complexity of the tissue will be designed specifically to enable control cellular connectivity. These will be used as functional models for comparison between healthy and diseased tissue, enabling evaluation of therapeutic strategies within treated segments of the neural circuit and the network as a whole. Real-time and long-term evaluation will provide an evidence-base for a step-changing pre-clinical screening method.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 2238925 | Studentship | EP/N509516/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/08/2021 | Sophie Oakley |
| Description | A method of differentiating neurons whilst maintaining an unbranched state facilitating use in microfabricated channels. Branching can be increased with the removal of serum from growth conditions and enhancing the ability of networking to occur. |
| Exploitation Route | For use in the modelling of neuronal circuits by manipulating the phenotype of the Sh-sy5y cell line. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Collaberation with Aston University - Eric Hill |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Training and resource exchange, using IPSC derived neurons developed at Aston in our Microfabricated device. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Aston supplied the cell lines used. |
| Impact | None so far. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Brain on a Chip - Work shop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The brain on a chip workshop was hosted by Loughborough university. academics from a variety of different universites working and interested in Microfabrication, Neuroelectrophysiology and tissue engineering gave talks; sharing ideas and the applications of specific neuronal models. 6 universities took part and subsequently submitted based on this forum. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.lboro.ac.uk/science/events/brain-on-a-chip-workshop-22mar19.html |
| Description | Cambridge Seminar/workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This was an invited talk in the West Park Cambridge to discuss research focus and state-of-the art methodologies. The students were very engaging and this enabled some excellent discussion. I also took a couple of my PGR students along with me which allowed them to develop their network and see their work in context with the field. Whilst there we had a smaller group discussion and planning session for future work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Cross Cadre/ UKSB joint conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented digitally as part of the cross cadre/ UKSB joint conference, to communicate my current research to an audience of peers and professionals in different scientific fields. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | EPSRC and MRC Centres for Doctoral Training in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Joint Conference 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | A joint conference bringing together the biomaterials and regenerative medicine researches across the UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | JCB Academy - Visit to University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Several GCSE students and 2 teachers visited the University to participate in practical sessions in Physics, Biology and Chemistry. A talk was given and a follow discussion had about careers in STEM. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2020 |
| Description | JCB Academy ROCESTER - Biology in Engineering Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Explored and discussed the application of engineering in a biological context eg. tissue engineering. Introductory session about the work within our lab and the impact/application of the research as well brainstorming and interactive sessions to GCSE and A level students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Poster Presentation at the Grand Challenges in Parkinson's Disease Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I presented and discussed a poster based on my research at the conference. Interested parties asked questions and we discussed the limitation of the current models. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |