Breakthrough in Brain Tissue Engineering: Animal-Free, Humane, and Effective

Описание: Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in neural tissue engineering, creating functional brain-like tissue without animal-derived materials. This innovative approach opens up new possibilities for neurological research and drug testing.
The team, led by Iman Noshadi, has developed a scaffold made primarily of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a chemically neutral polymer. By reshaping PEG into a porous maze, they've created a matrix that brain cells can recognize and colonize, forming functional neural networks.
This method eliminates the need for animal brains and biological coatings, which were previously used to support cell growth. The new material provides a more controlled and humane environment for studying neurological diseases and testing potential treatments.
The engineered scaffold allows for longer-term studies, as mature brain cells can exhibit donor-specific neural activity. This advancement is a significant step towards more accurate and ethical neurological research.
The team's long-term goal is to develop interconnected organ-level cultures, mimicking the body's systems and offering a more integrated understanding of human biology and disease.
This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize drug development and our understanding of the brain, all while reducing the reliance on animal testing.