Scientists Trick Neurons Into Thinking They’re Inside a Living Brain

Neurons, the brain’s essential cells, form intricate networks by exchanging signals, enabling learning and adaptation. Researchers at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands have created a 3D-printed environment that closely resembles real brain tissue. Using nanoscale pillars, they replicate the soft, fibrous structure that supports neurons. This innovation provides a more accurate model for studying how neurons connect, potentially improving our understanding of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and autism spectrum disorders.

Mimicking the Brain’s Natural Environment

Neurons, like all cells, respond to their surroundings. Traditional petri dishes, being flat and rigid, fail to replicate the brain’s soft extracellular matrix. To address this, Associate Professor Angelo Accardo and his team designed nanopillar arrays using two-photon polymerization, a high-precision 3D printing technique.

These nanopillars—each thousands of times thinner than a human hair—are arranged like miniature forests. By adjusting their width and height, the researchers fine-tuned their mechanical properties, creating an environment that neurons perceive as soft.

“This setup tricks neurons into ‘thinking’ they are in brain-like tissue,” Accardo explains. “Although the material is rigid, the nanopillars bend under the neurons’ movement, mimicking the softness of real brain tissue. Additionally, the nanostructures provide anchoring points similar to the extracellular matrix fibers in the brain.” As a result, neurons grow and connect in a more natural way.

From Random Growth to Organized Networks

To test their model, the team cultivated three types of neurons—derived from either mouse brain tissue or human stem cells—on the nanopillar arrays. In standard petri dishes, neurons grew in random directions. However, on the 3D-printed surfaces, all three types formed structured networks at specific angles.

The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, also uncovered new insights into how neurons extend their connections. “Neuronal growth cones—hand-like structures at the tips of growing neurons—behave differently on flat surfaces versus 3D environments,” says Accardo. “On flat surfaces, they spread out without clear direction, but on nanopillar arrays, they extend finger-like projections in all directions, just as they would in a real brain.”

Additionally, lead author George Flamourakis found that neurons grown on the nanopillars matured more efficiently, showing higher levels of key neural markers. This suggests that the model not only influences growth patterns but also accelerates neuronal development.

A New Tool for Brain Disorder Research

If softness is crucial, why not use gel-based materials instead? “The challenge with gels, like collagen or Matrigel, is their inconsistency and lack of controlled structure,” Accardo explains. “Our nanopillar arrays combine the best of both worlds: they mimic a soft, natural environment while offering high reproducibility due to their precisely engineered design.”

By better replicating neuronal growth and connectivity, this model could provide deeper insights into how brain networks differ in neurological disorders. It represents a significant step toward more accurate brain research, ultimately advancing treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and autism.

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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