Modeling human cortical development with microdevice

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K18362
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Shimba Kenta 東京大学, 大学院工学系研究科(工学部), 助教 (80792655)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 大脳皮質 / マイクロ加工 / パターニング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to develop fundamental techniques for modeling the layer structure of cerebral cortex, we developed two methods; 1) a method for controlling process elongation of neural stem cells, which is important for guiding neuron migration; 2) a microfabrication-based method for treating neural cells with pharmacological reagent. These techniques will contribute to develop a cerebral cortex model in a dish.

Free Research Field

神経工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で開発した手法は，神経細胞の移動方向において重要な，神経幹細胞の突起構造の位置を制御するための技術である．本後術は，今後大脳皮質構造を培養皿の中で再現していく際の基盤技術となりえる．大脳皮質のモデル化は，正常／異常な神経発生が起こる原因の解明に向けた重要な研究であり，基礎分野のみならず，疾患の治療法開発や創薬という実社会への貢献にもつながる点で意義が大きい．