3D brain tissues models may be used for studying brain injury, regeneration and repair. This includes comprehensive studies to assess mechanical damage over time (acute to chronic) and in response to different injuries, including chronic drug exposure, and explore suitable treatments to ameliorate impact. We use 3D rodent and human brain-like tissues with structural and functional features mimicking in vivo conditions to provide physiologically-relevant readouts for the study of brain function and responses to mechanical damage. Such correlations will provide new and important insight into pathways activated by injury, how the type of injury effects different pathways, and to help identify new leads for intervention and treatment. The coupling of in vitro 3D tissues (rodent and human) using multiple cell types relevant to brain (neurons, astrocytes, microglia, endothelium) with in vivo rodent studies, impacted by different types of damage (e.g., inertial and weight drop), will provide a comprehensive assessment of outcomes not previously pursued, while also improving translational relevance. This includes the use of our tissue models to evaluate the implantation of engineered neural substrates to replace lost brain tissue and rebuild brain circuitry. Our bioengineering approach is uniquely designed to repair large areas of damage and recovery of patient abilities through the implantation of engineered 3-dimensional functional tissues mimicking the native architecture of the cerebral cortex. Functional neural tissue implants that recapitulate the architecture and ultimately cellular composition of the brain will be more effective at restoring cortical circuitry and information processing. This strategy is designed to greatly accelerate repair of higher order functions affected by TBI, such as motor functions and vision.
Projects include:
Traumatic Brain Injury in Animal Models and Engineered 3-D Tissues