• H2020
• Excellent Science

The MESO-BRAIN consortium, a collaborative research group aiming for the development of 3D neural networks capable of brain-like activity, has received €3.3m in Horizon 2020 funding.

The consortium, which is led by Aston University, UK, is expected to utilise nanoscale 3D laser printing and stem cells to simulate human brain activity.

3D printing technology has seen increasing functions in the medical and biotechnological industries. Now, through the MESO-BRAIN consortium, experts could be closer to reaching a potential treatment of disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, the causes of which are less well-known than their effects.

Professor Edik Rafailov, head of the MESO-BRAIN project, said: “Being able to extract and replicate neural networks from the brain through 3D nanoprinting promises to change this. The MESO-BRAIN project has the potential to revolutionise the way we are able to understand the onset and development of disease and discover treatments for those with dementia or brain injuries. We cannot wait to get started.”

The MESO-BRAIN consortium hopes to improve knowledge of, and treatments for, a variety of conditions. The initiative plans to use human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by differentiating them into neurons on a reproducible 3D printed scaffold. The printed structure, based on a brain cortical module, will incorporate nanoelectrodes to enable downstream electrophysiological analysis of neural network function.

The project funding is a part Horizon 2020’s Future and Emerging Technology pillar and has the potential to collaborate with the flagship programme, the Human Brain Project.