Neuro-Chip: In Vitro Brain Networks for Discovery
About
Our broad vision is to develop in vitro models of in vivo neural networks for basic science discovery and for translation of basic science into application in drug discovery, repair and regeneration, and therapeutic treatments. We use microfluidics and nanofiber/nanoparticle technologies to create patterned neural networks to bottoms-up build the neuronal and neuromuscular systems. Examples: 1) Axonal injury and regeneration, 2) Neuromuscular junction, 3) Myelination, 4) Targeted reinnervation on chip, 5) Peripheral neuropathy
Project Description
Study of Brain-to-Hand (Neuron-Muscle) in a Chip
Our goal is to mimic the brain-to-hand (in vivo) function on a chip (in vitro). This system will model and allow research on nerve injury, amputation, nerve regeneration and targeted muscle reinnervation.
Team
PI: Nitish Thakor, Professor
Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows
Vuong Pham
Vuong Pham
Vuong Pham
Post-doc
Baiwen Luo
Vuong Pham
Vuong Pham
Post-doc
Collaborators
Ahmet Hoke
Nicholar Maragakis
Nicholar Maragakis
Professor
Neurology
Johns Hopkins Medical School
Nicholar Maragakis
Nicholar Maragakis
Nicholar Maragakis
Professor
Neurology
Johns Hopkins Medical School
Gasbang Lee
Chia-Hung Chen
Chia-Hung Chen
Associate Professor
Johns Hopkins Medical School
Chia-Hung Chen
Chia-Hung Chen
Chia-Hung Chen
Assistant Professor
National University of Singapore
Alumni
PhD Students
Research Associates
PhD Students
Suneil Hosmane
Rezina Siddique
Post-docs
Research Associates
PhD Students
Agata Blasiak
H. U. Lee
Research Associates
Research Associates
Research Associates
In Hong Yang
Publications
Original Works
Hosmane S, Fournier A, Wright R, Rajbhandari L, Siddique R, Yang IH, Ramesh KT, Venkatesan A and Thakor NV, “Valve-based microfluidic compression platform: single axon injury and regrowth,” Lab Chip, Vol. 11 (22) pp. 3888-3895, 2011. DOI: 10.1039/C1LC20549H, Epub 2011 Oct 6., PMID:. 21975691.
Hosmane S, Fournier A, Wright R, Rajbhandari L, Siddique R, Yang IH, Ramesh KT, Venkatesan A and Thakor NV, “Valve-based microfluidic compression platform: single axon injury and regrowth,” Lab Chip, Vol. 11 (22) pp. 3888-3895, 2011. DOI: 10.1039/C1LC20549H, Epub 2011 Oct 6., PMID:. 21975691.
Yang I. H., Gary D., Malone M., Dria S., Houdayer T., Belegu V., Mcdonald J., and Thakor N. V., “Axon myelination and electrical stimulation in a microfluidic, compartmentalized cell culture platform,” NeuroMolecular Med., Vol. 14(2), pp. 112-118, 2012. doi: 10.1007/s12017-012-8170-5. Epub 2012 Apr 13. PMID: 22527791.
Hosmane S, Tegenge MA, Rajbhandari L, Uapinyoying P, Kumar NG, Thakor NV, Venkatesan A, “Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Domain-Containing Adapter Inducing Interferon-β Mediates Microglial Phagocytosis of Degenerating Axons” J. Neurosci., 32(22), pp. 7745-7757, 30 May 2012.
Sheng Y., Liao L.-D., Thakor N. V., M. C. Tan, “Nanoparticles for molecular imaging,” J. Biomed. Nanotech., Vol. 10, pp. 2642-2676, 2014. doi: 10.1166/jbn.2014.1937.
Yan Y., Ng L. F., Gruber J., Bettiol A. A., Thakor N. V., “Continuous Flow C. eleganssorting system with integrated optical fiber detection and laminar flow switching,” Lab Chip, 21;14(20):4000-6, 2014. doi: 10.1039/c4lc00494a.
Zeming KK, Thakor NV, Zhang Y, Chen CH, “Real-time modulated nanoparticle separation with an ultra-large dynamic range,” Lab Chip, 2015 Nov 17. PMID: 26575003 [Epub ahead of print].
Liu S, Xiang P, Fisgin AC, Belegu V, Thakor NV, et al., “Myelination of motor neurons derived from mouse embryonic Stem cells by Oligodendrocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells in a microfluidic compartmentalized platform. J Stem Cell Res,5:304. 2015. doi:10.4172/2157-7633.1000304
Yan Y., Boey D., Ng L. T., Gruber J., Bettiol A., Thakor N., Chen C.-H., “Continuous-flow C. elegans fluorescence expression analysis with real-time image processing through microfluidics,” Biosensors Bioelectr., Volume 77, pp. 428–434, 15 March 2016. doi:10.1016/j.bios.2015.09.045.
Cetinkaya-Fisgin A., Joo M. G., Ping X., Thakor N. V., Ozturk C., Hoke A., Yang I. H., “Identification of fluocinolone acetonide to prevent paclitaxel induced peripheral neuropathy,” J Peripheral Nervous System, DOI: 10.1111/jns.12172, 2016. PMID: PMID: 27117347.
Lee, H. U., Nag S., Jin Y. Agata B., Thakor N.; Yang I. H., “Subcellular optogenetic stimulation for activity-dependent myelination of axons in a novel microfluidic compartmentalized platform," ACS Chem Neurosci., Vo. 7, pp. 1317-1324, 2016. PMID: 27570883
Lee H. U,, Blasiak A., Agarwal D. R,., Loong D. T. L., Thakor N. V,, All A. H., Ho J. S., Yang I. H., “Subcellular electrical stimulation of neurons enhances the myelination of axons by oligodendrocytes, PLoS ONE 12(7): e0179642, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179642
Blasiak A., Guerin T.H.M., Yang I.H., Lahiri A., and Thakor. N. V., “Fibro-Neuronal guidance on Common, 3D-printed textured substrates,” IEEE Trans. NanoBio Sci. [15 Mar 2019](PMID:30892222)DOI: 10.1109/TNB.2019.2905469