Bio-interface laboratory

Bio-interface laboratory

The laboratory is developing biological and technical tools that can test the functional and/or toxicological effect of molecules on the brain.

For this, the laboratory has developed an in vitro model of «mini-brains» taken from programmed human stem cells, which can limit the use of laboratory animals.
We can measure the electrical activity of these «mini-brains» using networks of mini-electrodes that enable us to obtain information on the functional state of tissues. Within specific projects, we can test the toxic effect of chemical or biological substances as well as nano particles on these tissues.

Our engineers are developing an autonomous electro-physiological measurement platform that also includes an integrated perfusion system that gets close to physiological conditions during the experiments. Thanks to these conditions, the tissues can be maintained in the culture over a long period (several months) during which measurements of their electrical activity are obtained.

We are also developing a system for the in vitro measurement of biological barriers based on the measurement of the impedance spectrum. This measurement enables biologists to evaluate the permeability of a layer of cells, such as the blood-brain barrier or the gastro-intestinal barrier, for example.

The laboratory platform enables other partners/researchers to test the electrical characteristics and materials of new generations of probes in view of long-term implantation in the brains of patients.

Équipement(s): 
  • Access to the clean room of Campus Biotech
  • Design and assembly of micro-electrode networks  
  • Systems for the acquisition of biological electrical signals in vitro (electrophysiology)
  • In vitro system for measurement of bio-impedance
  • Cellular culture equipment (incubators, laminar flow hoods)
  • 3D cellular model of tissue from reprogrammed human cells (iPS)

Contact

Head of laboratory

HEPIA – Campus Biotech
Chemin des Mines 9
Tissue Engineering Lab
Genève 1202
Switzerland