Development of fast-forming 3D cultures of human neurons for modeling Alzheimers disease amyloid and Tau pathology

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07771
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: DIMITROV DIMITAR 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 細胞分子シナプス機能ユニット, 技術員 (70568865)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Alzheimer's disease / Neurodome / Disease model

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

During the last year, several components and culture media were tested to increase the frequency of neurodome formation, as per the initial plan. Several media components and substrates were identified to promote neurodome formation. In addition, the cell condition inside the neurodomes were checked with apoptosis markers and were shown to be healthy as monolayer neurons without increase apoptosis. In addition, the neurodomes also were shown to contain a mix of neurons and glial cells, and this was shown to be important for neuronal survival.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The neurodome formation is rather consistent and the tests done until now show healthy and functional neurons.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In the upcoming year I plan to:

1. Test and choose one best condition for neurodome formation.
2. Test neuronal and synaptic functionality using electrophysiology.
3. Use ApoE4 to induce overexpression of Amyloid-beta, and test plaque formation and tau phosphorylation.

Causes of Carryover

In the last fiscal year, some platicware that were planned for purchase (Ibidi culture dishes) were out of stock by the manufacturer so coud not purchase. Thus this fiscal year, the remaining amount will be used for these plasticware.