Animal Facilities and Biosafety - "Track C" - 3D Bioprinting as an Innovative Platform for Neurodevelopment Modeling

• Grant number: 25/07247-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Improvement of the Operational Infrastructure of Small-Animal Facilities and Biosafety
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Marimélia Aparecida Porcionatto
• Grantee: Marimélia Aparecida Porcionatto
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Camila Nascimento Mantelli ; Fabio Papes ; Larissa Valdemarin Bim ; Mariana Moysés Oliveira ; Marilene Hohmuth Lopes ; Vanessa Costhek Abílio

Abstract

In addition to organoids, 3D bioprinting and microfluidics have proven to be essential tools in establishing new complex models for studies of the central nervous system (CNS), especially studies of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment. With the support of FAPESP, through the funding of a thematic project (Development of brain-on-a-chip microplatforms for modeling the central nervous system in vitro; Proc. 2018/12605-8) and of CNPq/MCTI through the funding of INCT Model3D (National Institute of Science and Technology in Complex Human Diseases with 3D Platforms), we have advanced in the development of protocols to produce three-dimensional constructs for studies of the CNS. Focusing on neurodevelopment, we propose to use 3D bioprinting in the concept of NAMs (New Methodological Approaches) to contribute to the reduction of the use of experimental animals and replacement by complex in vitro models, using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). 3D models have great potential to be used in studies of cellular and molecular mechanisms of several diseases, such as neurodevelopmental diseases, such as Autism Spectrum Syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease. With the development of 3D bioprinting technology, the automation of the fabrication of constructs also offers potential for large-scale use in studies of new drugs and new therapeutic targets. (AU)