Scientists have created a fully synthetic model of the human brain

For the first time, scientists from the University of California at Riverside have developed functional tissue that mimics the brain without using animal-derived materials or biological coatings. This was reported by New Atlas magazine.

It was clarified that this breakthrough, called BIPORES (Bijel-Integrated PORous Engineered System), is a new synthetic platform for neuroengineering, which can significantly reduce the need to use animal brains in research.

The researchers used polyethylene glycol (PEG), which by itself is not suitable for cell retention, but with the help of new technologies and bioprinters, a material has been created that supports cell growth and development. This synthetic tissue promotes the growth of neural stem cells and the formation of nerve connections, making it a promising tool for studying brain diseases and injuries.

"Since the created framework is stable, it allows for long-term research. This is especially important because mature brain cells better reflect the actual function of tissues in the study of relevant diseases and injuries," said the study's lead author, Prince David Okoro.

To create the frame, the specialists used a special liquid mixture of PEG, ethanol and water. Upon contact with water, the ingredients began to separate. According to Iman Noshadi, associate professor of bioengineering at the University of California, Riverside, this material provides cells with everything they need to grow, organize, and interact in clusters similar to the brain.

The team of scientists plans to scale the technology and is already working on creating such models for other organs, such as the liver. The main goal is to create a network of mini-organs that will interact with each other — this will open up new opportunities for research and treatment of diseases. Nosadi called it a step towards understanding human biology and diseases in a more integrated context.

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