Adapting aligned, stabilised 3D tissues for large-scale neurobiological research

Abstract

Recreating the 3D environment of the CNS using hydrogel matrices allows neurons and glial cells in vitro to behave similarly to their counterparts in vivo, providing a relevant tool for neurobiological studies. The overall aim is to develop robust 3D CNS tissue models engineered by a process of glial cell self-alignment and subsequently stabilised. Furthermore, these models have been developed for multi-well plate format at a scale suitable for high throughput screening. CNS tissue equivalents can be used to assess numerous aspects of the CNS in a reproducible, controllable and consistent manner