organ-Chips
Brain-Chip
Research mechanisms of neuroinflammation and evaluate the effect of therapeutics in a comprehensive model of the neurovascular unit
Brain‑Chip Overview
Brain physiology is highly complex and species-specific
Conventional cell models fail to recreate the required complexity, while animal models often fail to translate to human response due to species differences. The Emulate Brain-Chip is the most comprehensive in vitro model of the human neurovascular unit for preclinical research, with five cell types in a dynamic and tunable microenvironment. The Brain-Chip can be applied to investigate mechanisms of neuroinflammation and evaluate the efficacy and blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration of drug candidates.
Characterization
The most comprehensive human brain and BBB model
The Brain-Chip overcomes the limitations of other methods of studying the brain, providing a far more physiologically relevant model. Unlike other in vitro models such as organoids and conventional cell cultures, this ‘Brain-on-a-Chip’ model demonstrates morphological and functional characteristics of cortical brain tissue, incorporating both neuronal cells and the blood-brain barrier in a single model.
Benefits
Multicellular complexity drives improved neuron function
Unlike conventional cell cultures with limited cell types, the Brain-Chip contains five human iPSC-derived and primary cell types (neurons, astrocytes, pericytes, microglia, and brain microvascular endothelial cells).
Best-In-class blood-brain barrier modeling
The Brain-Chip demonstrates stable, long-term, and low barrier permeability in line with in vivo values due to the incorporation of media flow and supportive cells including microglia and astrocytes.
Improved gene expression
Brain-Chip transcriptomic profiling displays enrichment of key neurobiological pathways and closer overlap to in vivo adult cortex as compared to Transwell brain models, the most commonly used in vitro brain culture models.
Dynamic microenvironment with relevant microvascular endothelium
Flow improves functionality in cells to exhibit in vivo-like behavior. Static cell culture and organoids lack shear stress, impacting cell differentiation and ability for long-term culture.
Stable functionality
Characteristic morphology, gene expression, and functionality are maintained up to seven days of culture, unlike Transwell models which gradually lose functionality over this period.
A human-based model
As a human-based model, the Brain-Chip can help researchers mitigate preclinical-to-clinical translational issues often seen in animal models.
Application: Neuroinflammation
Neuroinflammation offers a rich set of therapeutic targets, but remains a challenge to model
Despite decases of research, modeling the complexity of neuroinflammation remains a challenge. Animal models fail to predict human responses due to species differences, and conventional in vitro models lack the necessary cellular complexity and microenvironment to model inflammation effectively.
Benefits
A new standard for investigating neuroinflammatory pathogenesis and therapeutic efficacy
The Brain-Chip is a comprehensive model of the neurovascular unit with in vivo-like gene expression. By including key morphological and functional characteristics of brain tissue and the blood-brain barrier together in a dynamic environment, the Brain-Chip allows researchers to study the effect of neuroinflammation across the entire neurovascular unit. Exposure to inflammatory stimuli results in the recreation of key features of neuroinflammation, including:
- Significant enrichment of gene pathways related to inflammation
- Astrogliosis and microglial activation
- Secretion of proinflammatory cytokines
- Increased blood-brain barrier permeability
Part of the Human Emulation System®
The Human Emulation System is comprised of instruments, consumables, and software in a flexible, open format. The user-friendly platform gives researchers a window into the inner workings of human biology.
Get Started Today
Experience the predictive power of Brain-on-a-Chip technology. Gain deeper insights by incorporating the Brain-Chip in your lab workflow or having our team of scientists design and execute a study to meet your needs.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Technical Note: Brain-Chip Characterization
Learn how the Brain-Chip incorporates both neuronal cells and the blood-brain barrier in a single model to emulate morphological and functional characteristics of cortical brain tissue.
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