LUSH PRIZE (DFM.AD004.218)

Thematic area

Physical sciences and technologies of matter

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of Nanotechnology (NANOTEC)

Project manager

ALESSANDRO POLINI
Phone number: 0832319305
Email: alessandro.polini@nanotec.cnr.it

Abstract

Organ-on-a-chip platforms are microengineered systems that aim to replicate key units of living organs and organisms, and in particular to reproduce higher-order anatomical and functional features, i.e.: i) their 3D microarchitecture, consisting of the spatial arrangement of different cell types, the intercellular matrix providing biochemical, mechanical and topographical cues, and the circulation; and ii) their microphysiology or physiopathology (gas/nutrient exchanges, absorption/secretion, cell-cell communication etc.). In the case of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) primarily motor neurons (MNs) in the motor cortex (upper motor neurons, UMNs) and the spinal cord (lower motor neurons, LMNs) are affected. Up until now most of ALS clinical trials, aimed at studying and treating this motor circuit, have reported negative results, and no effective disease-modifying treatment has been introduced. The development of platforms alternative to the current (non-optimal) animal models for studying the pathological mechanisms and test new drug candidates, as well as performing human validation assays, is of paramount importance.

Goals

Thanks to the Lush Prize budget, I will be able to develop Neuromuscular junction-on-a-chip models in which different cell types (e.g. neurons, glia and muscular cells) are precisely guided to grow and interconnect in a perfusable microfabricated environment, establishing a basic 3-unit functional motor circuit.

Start date of activity

15/02/2019

Keywords

SLA, organ-on-chip, microphysiological systems

Last update: 19/04/2025