How to Replace Animals. Scientists Develop a Three-Dimensional Model of Nerve Tissue

How to Replace Experiments on Animals

Researchers at the University of Illinois have used stem cells to create living bio-hybrid neural tissue to develop three-dimensional models of neural networks.

Using these technologies, the scientist wants to better understand how the neural system and brain activity.

The author of the work, Dr. Jose L Diaz Pagan compares the produced fabric with a computer processing unit, which provided the development of modern supercomputers.

— “The ability to form a three-dimensional tissue composed of neurons may enable us to develop tissue models for drug screening or processing for biological computers,” — said Pagan-Diaz.

Scientists Develop a Three-Dimensional Model of Nerve Tissue

This treatment will help to better understand the brain structure and how it works. This information can be used to treat many diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. 

To create a three-dimensional model of nerve tissue, scientists used hydrogels and fibrin, a protein that forms the basis of blood clots during blood coagulation. These materials make it possible to form structures of a millimeter and centimeter scales of arbitrary shape. This cell is activated by blue light.

— “This is a collection of hundreds and thousands of micron cells that contains many populations with a genetic structure similar to tissues in vivo. By continuing to develop these bio-production methods, we will be able to study many phenomena in vivo. Once we can prove this, we can imitate the brain morphology. As soon as we show that the tissues constructed outside the body are similar to the tissues inside the body, we can remake them again and again,” — Pagan-Diaz explained.

Let’s hope that smart scientists will find a way on how to treat animals as human equals pursuing our well-being.