Developing 3D brain organoids to model perinatal brain injury

Project description

We are developing 3-dimensional human brain organoids using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We can model the effect of neuroinflammation in our brain organoids, thereby creating an in vitro model of perinatal brain injury. We will use this in vitro 3D model to test the mechanism of action of umbilical cord blood and mesenchymal stem cells, specifically assessing the paracrine and direct effects and determine the optimum stem cell type for reducing neuroinflammation. This project will involve extensive cell culturing with both iPSCs and perinatal stem cells, multicolour flow cytometry and molecular analysis using PCR and protein assays.