organ-Chips
Brain-Chip
Study human physiology, disease, and drug effect 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 non-human primate models have repeatedly failed to translate to human response due to species differences. The Emulate Brain-Chip is under development to address these challenges and offer researchers the most comprehensive in vitro model of the human neurovascular unit for preclinical research, with five cell types in a dynamic and tunable microenvironment.
Characterization
The most comprehensive human neurovascular unit model
The Brain-Chip is being designed to overcome the limitations of other methods and provide researchers a more physiologically relevant understanding of neurovascular unit physiology and disease. Unlike other in vitro models such as organoids and conventional cell cultures, this ‘Brain-on-a-Chip’ model will more closely recapitulate morphological and functional characteristics of cortical brain tissue, incorporating both neuronal cells and an endothelial-like barrier in a single model.
Benefits
Multicellular complexity to improve neuron function
Unlike conventional cell cultures with limited cell types, the Brain-Chip contains five human cell types: neurons, astrocytes, pericytes, microglia, and brain microvascular endothelial-like cells.
In vivo-like barrier function
Maintain 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
The dynamic microenvironment of Organ-Chips results in an improved -transcriptomic profile, with enrichment of key neurobiological pathways and closer overlap to in vivo adult cortex as compared to Transwell brain models.
Dynamic microenvironment with relevant microvascular endothelial like-cells
Flow improves functionality in cells to exhibit more 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 can be maintained up to seven days of culture, unlike Transwell models which gradually lose functionality over this period.
A human-based model
Mitigate preclinical-to-clinical translational issues often seen in animal models.
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 Organ-on-a-Chip technology.
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