Scientists at the University of Rochester have developed cutting-edge microchip systems that contain human tissue. This technological breakthrough allows scientists to study the function of the human brain in detail, both under healthy, normal conditions and during pathological changes. Specifically, the focus is on how the brain is damaged by diseases and processes such as acute inflammation, infection, or chronic neurodegenerative diseases (for example, Alzheimer’s).
The main goal of this innovation is to replace animal testing and make the results as accurate as possible for the human body. The technology facilitates a better understanding of the blood-brain barrier (BBB)—a critical border that protects the brain from toxins in the bloodstream. Damage to this barrier is the starting point for many neurological problems, making it crucial to understand its function so that the progression of diseases can be studied in a controlled and realistic environment.
Under the leadership of Professor James McGrath, the research team designed these microchips, which simulate the interactions occurring between different types of human tissue.
The research was focused on determining the mechanisms by which the brain reacts to extremely strong immune responses, particularly the cytokine storm. A cytokine storm is a life-threatening condition caused by an unregulated, overwhelming activation of the immune system and is often associated with severe infections (e.g., sepsis) or complex surgical procedures.
Results published in the journal Advanced Science showed that inflammation can damage the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammatory molecules to cross into the brain parenchyma and lead to cell damage. However, the scientists also concluded that the natural flow of blood helps strengthen the barrier.
The research team plans to expand the microchip models and integrate additional brain components, specifically microglia. Microglia are the brain’s resident immune cells that play a critical role in maintaining neuronal health.
The improved models will serve two main purposes: they can be used to test the effectiveness of new neuroprotective therapies and to identify patients who are at the highest risk of developing inflammation-induced brain damage.
In the future, the technology will lay the groundwork for personalized medicine, as it will be possible to individually create brain tissue simulation chips for patients. This advancement will allow scientists to assess the safety and toxicity of drugs before serious interventions such as major surgeries or chemotherapy.
A second study, published in the journal Materials Today Bio, focused on the function of pericytes, which are supportive cells that maintain the blood-brain barrier. Scientists determined that pericytes have the ability to repair structural defects in blood vessel walls by creating a fibrous network, which ensures barrier stabilization. This discovery is important because it paves the way for the development of therapies aimed at preserving or restoring pericytes during neurodegenerative diseases.
Both studies are collectively a significant step toward establishing safer and more accurate methods for studying the human brain.
