Brain Tissue Engineering Community
University of Bath: Nazia Mehrban, Matthew Little
University of Bristol: James Armstrong (PI), Norah-Jane Prendergast
Cardiff University: Yasir Syed, Tianqi Wang
Background
The human brain is prone to many severe and incurable conditions (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease), which greatly affects both individuals and wider society. We can now study these pathological conditions using artificial living tissues that we grow in the laboratory. However, these tissues currently lack much of the complex structure and biology of the human brain. Our research challenge is thus to build more brain tissues with a more physiological structure and function, and ultimately, to use these to aid our understanding and treatment of complex brain conditions.
Project Summary
This community will bring together a team of experts for a coordinated programme of practical training across three institutions (Bristol, Bath, Cardiff) and disciplines (neurobiology, biomaterials, bioprinting). This will rapidly upskill our community and enable us to pursue our long-term goal of building complex brain tissues that can help develop treatments for incurable brain conditions. Our activities will culminate in a two-day conference to bring together a wider network of researchers and stakeholders working in this area.
