In-vitro Neural Systems – Herland Lab
Our research group is focused on In Vitro Neural Models and Hybrid Bioelectrical Systems. The aim of the research is to understand neuronal interactions with other neural and neurovascular cells, specifically in terms of metabolic function and neuronal activity. The core technology is based on human primary and stem cell-derived neural cells combined with fluidic and electronic device construction.
Disorders of the central nervous system are one of the grand health challenges of this century. Therapeutic development, however, remains limited by our poor understanding of the brain, including of the neurovascular unit (NVU) – the gatekeeper between blood and brain for metabolites, disease agents, as well as drugs. A major factor for these shortcomings lies in the wide-spread reliance on animals or simple cell models that recapitulate neither the cellular ensemble nor the environment of the human NVU.
Read more about our reserach at Herland Lab
Our group is pursuing a number of complementary approaches to develop more in-vivo-like model systems and deepen our understanding of the NVU and its barrier function:
- Functional Neurovascular in-vitro Models
- Stem Cell Differentiation
- Novel Materials for Microphysiological Systems
- 3D Cellular Models
- Sensors
- Metabolic Interactions and Transport across the Neurovascular Unit
- Elucidating the Role of Microglia in Models of Neuro-inflammation and Disease
Group leader
