3D Cortical Spheroid Article Makes Cover of Science Advances 2021

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The team of the Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Laboratory collaborated with Northwestern research labs to have an article published in the March 2o21 issue of Science Advances, with the 3D multifunctional neural interface lab illustration on the front cover.

The article explains the full construction and intention behind the research of novel 3D submillimeter-scale interfaces that monitor brain organoids to reproduce and learn of the complex structural features of a brain in vitro. The Regenerative Lab staff, Kristen Cotton, worked with the Northwestern lab staff, Yoonseok Park [et al.] on this project to introduce classes of microfabricated frameworks as neural interfacing for spheroids and assembloids. In doing this, they hope to better learn of the brain’s interactions with the development of the nervous system and the evolution and origins of aberrant behaviors and diseases.

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(A) Tilted exploded view layout of the constituent layers of the 2D precursor to the corresponding 3D MMF.

(B) Results of FEA of the system in its final configuration and (C) a magnified view to highlight the functional components that include 25 microelectrodes, along with devices to provide optical, thermal, and electrochemical capabilities. Optical micrographs of each device.

(D) Circular microelectrode (Pt black, diameter of 50 μm, impedance of 10 kilohms at 1 kHz)

(E) μ-ILED

(F) Thermal actuator and sensor (Au trace in a serpentine geometry)

(G) electrochemical oxygen sensor (Pt black, Au, and Ag/AgCl as working, counter, and reference electrodes, respectively).

(H) Optical image of the 3D mesostructure with 25 electrodes and the distributions of maximum principal strain according to FEA across the 3D MMF and the spheroid. Optical micrographs and corresponding FEA results at different stages of the process of enclosing the 3D MMF gently around the surface of the spheroid; from left.

(I) opening the 3D MMF by stretching the elastomer substrate and placing the spheroid in the center region.

(J) slowly releasing the substrate to cause the structure to begin to enclose the spheroid.

(K) completing the release to conclude the integration.

To read the full article Three-dimensional, multifunctional neural interfaces for corticol spheroids and engineered assembloids, in Science Advances.

Park Y, Franz CK, Ryu H, et al. Three-dimensional, multifunctional neural interfaces for cortical spheroids and engineered assembloids. Sci Adv. 2021;7    (12):eabf9153. Published 2021 Mar 17. doi:10.1126/sciadv.abf9153

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Dr. Colin Franz would like to congratulate Kristen Cotton, BS Research Lab Assistant, on her significant contributions to this project.