The brain vasculature greatly influences brain health and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Current 2D cellular models in plastic dishes or mice models lack either the complexity or human specific factors often underlying complex diseases.
Impact
Creating innovative 3D vessel-on-chip models, we replicate human brain vasculature’s complexity, including 3D structure, cellular interplays, and blood flow. Leveraging patient stem cells, we decipher mechanisms driving diseased, leaky brain vessels. These models can in the future be used for improved drug testing.
reNEW research
In the Orlova lab in Leiden, we have been able to generate the patient-derived stem cell components needed to mimick the brain vasculature and combine them a 3D vessel-on-chip model.
Image description
A specific brain cell, called astrocyte, linking to the surrounding 3D blood vessels, similar as seen in the human brain
Credits
Dennis Nahon, Orlova lab, Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, reNEW Leiden