in vitro TBI

Development of a novel Traumatic Brain Injury in vitro model

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by vehicle and sports accidents, slip and falls and assaults is common worldwide, with an annual incidence estimated to be above 0.6%. Approximately 2.5 million people per year in Europe alone are diagnosed with mTBI and another 2.5 million have unknowingly suffered from a concussion. An increasing number of studies have shown that – especially repetitive mTBI– can lead to post-concussive symptoms, deficits in cognitive and executive functions and neurodegenerative diseases years after the incident(s), therefore taking a significant economic toll.

We aim at investigating the spatiotemporal release of biomarkers and the therapeutic possibilities to mitigate neural injury, using a 3D cellular/organ-on-a-chip microfluidic-physiological model. This interdisciplinary project combines expertise in neuro-physiological models, in vitro imaging, versatile cellular injury device development, and advanced bio-analytics.

We will first develop a new in vitro model to induce mTBI on human brain-like tissue using different technological approaches. We will then analyze the temporal evolution of neural tissue damages after injuries with 3D optical imaging at cellular resolution via Optical Projection Tomography. In parallel experiments, the release kinetics of different brain injury biomarkers through advanced bio-analytics will benefit from functionalized electrodes under development as well as from protein electrochemiluminescence and mass spectrometry analytical methods.