In-vitro study of brain tissue

The nanoelectronics research centre imec and Peira, a Belgium-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical and chemical research instruments, have jointly developed a slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue. The new tool enables long-term studying of brain cultures through electronic stimulation and read-out, essential in getting insight into the functioning of the brain.

To increase knowledge on neuronal networks, on how our brain works, and on the cellular processes causing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, brain tissue slices need to be investigated for a longer time. To keep brain tissue slices alive to study long-term effects in neuronal circuits, the slices have to be cultured. They have to attach to a substrate and start growing.

Such a brain tissue culturing procedure is a difficult and precise manipulation and it is believed to be one of the most challenging known in the medical world.

The companies developed a custom slice-tilting device containing up to 16 chips with stimulation and read-out electronics, especially customised to grow brain slice tissue. The tilting device is fully incorporated in a cell growth incubator.

Parameters such as tilting angle, speed and interval time can be programmed to obtain optimal growth, survival and functionality of the brain slice. The new tool ensures optimal growth of brain slices on the chips for more than a month. It enables in-vitro investigation of long-term processes in brain circuits.