LUSH PRIZE (DFM.AD004.218)

Area tematica

Scienze fisiche e tecnologie della materia

Area progettuale

Struttura responsabile del progetto di ricerca

Istituto di Nanotecnologia (NANOTEC)

Responsabile di progetto

ALESSANDRO POLINI
Telefono: 0832319305
E-mail: 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.

Obiettivi

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.

Data inizio attività

15/02/2019

Parole chiave

SLA, organ-on-chip, microphysiological systems

Ultimo aggiornamento: 11/12/2024