The nanoelectronics research centre imec
and Peira, a Belgium-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical and chemical research
instruments, jointly developed an innovative 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
disease, 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 as a very difficult and precise manipulation,
and it is believed to be one of the most challenging cultures known in the medical
world. Therefore, imec has developed together with Peira, a custom slice-tilting
device containing up to 16 chips with stimulation and read-out electronics,
especially customized to grow brain slice tissue on. 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.
“With its research into lab and preclinical instrumentation, imec aims
to play an important role in developing powerful healthcare diagnostics and
therapy,” says Kris Verstreken, Program Director Life Sciences at imec.
Imec’s experience in nano- and microsystems technology is at the basis
of innovative devices and instruments for the pharmaceutical industry. Imec
has been developing novel techniques and protocols for brain slice culturing
on multi-electrode array and microchip surfaces. Part of this innovation is
the concept for a new slice tilter device for the culturing process. “This
in-vitro brain tissue research instrument is an example of how our technology
can support medical research into areas such as neurology, cardiology or oncology,
interacting not only at the level of the individual cell but also capturing
the complexity of cellular networks, tissues or organs. For the practical implementation
of the slice tilter device, imec and Peira have joined forces.”
“We share a believe at Peira that breakthrough research will often need
novel and unique instruments to create new insights,” says Hans Nicasy,
founder and managing director at Peira. This brain tissue instrument is a nice
illustration of how Peira solves the researcher’s problem by integrating
good engineering practices into an efficient and effective apparatus. The slice
tilter platform was developed in close cooperation between the researchers at
imec and Peira’s engineers. Peira supplies scientists in academia and
the biotech and pharmaceutical industries with innovative instruments and co-develops
customized research platforms that help to create new insights in the pathways
of neuro diseases such Alzheimer and Parkinson or help to develop new cancer
diagnostics or therapy tools.”