Speaker: 宋宇，清华大学生物制造中心

Title: Engineered brain-like constructs for drug testing and regeneration medicine

Language: Chinese

Time & Venue: 2024.06.12 16:00-17:00 思源楼425

Abstract: Engineered brain-like constructs with functionality can be used as an ideal in vitro models for biological research and clinical treatment. The constructs with patterned neural cells based on biomimetic design are fabricated by 3D bioprinting, which is a prevalent biomanufacturing technique. Compared to 2D cultures models, 3D brain-like constructs provide complex microenvironment for neural cells which efficiently mimic natural conditions, and hence 3D brain-like constructs are ideal alternatives to both 2D cultures and animal models. In this work, we developed a series of engineered brain-like constructs with neural stem cells and primary neural cells to investigate mechanism during development of network, mimic in vitro alternative epilepsy models, and fabricate retina regenerative tissue. Brain-like constructs are printed by our standard printing and culturing process. Relevant valuation experiments are applied to these models to confirm their functionality in different research scenario.The engineered brain-like constructs are applied for development models of network, epileptic models, and regenerative tissue in our research. Implantation of brain constructs with neural stem cells in rats further demonstrates the great potentials in following tissue regeneration and medical treatment research. Although the accuracy of cells patterning, especially single cell printing, is still required for further improvement, the fabricated constructs as defined 3D models with biological functionality will benefit future application in clinical treatment, regenerative medicine and new drugs research.