Scientists at Delft University of Technology have developed a novel 3D-printed environment that closely resembles the brain's extracellular matrix, allowing neurons to grow and form networks similarly to those in a real brain. This innovative model, created using nanopillar arrays, provides a more accurate platform for studying neuronal behavior and could enhance our understanding of various neurological disorders.
Angelo Accardo, senior author of the study published in Advanced Functional Materials, and his team used two-photon polymerization, a high-precision 3D printing technique, to create arrays of nanopillars that mimic the soft, fibrous nature of brain tissue. These pillars, each a thousand times thinner than a human hair, can be adjusted in width and height to simulate the mechanical properties of the brain environment.
"This tricks the neurons into 'thinking' that they are in a soft, brain-like environment, even though the nanopillars' material itself is stiff," Accardo explains. The nanopillars bend under the weight of crawling neurons, providing both the softness and 3D structure that neurons can attach to, similar to real brain tissue.
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The researchers tested their model using three types of neuronal cells, observing more organized growth patterns compared to traditional flat surfaces. George Flamourakis, the study's first author, noted that the nanopillar environment also promoted neuronal maturation.
Importantly, this model offers advantages over gel-based alternatives. Accardo states, "The nanopillar arrays model offers the best of both worlds: it behaves like a soft environment with nanometric features, and holds extremely high reproducibility thanks to the resolution of two-photon polymerization."
This 3D-printed brain-like environment could provide valuable insights into the formation of healthy brain networks and potentially shed light on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectrum disorders.