A neuronal network in vitro model – towards therapies for Huntington’s disease
PhD Supervisor(s): Rosemary Fricker, Paul Roach, Ying Yang
Contact Email: m.kamudzandu@keele.ac.uk
Undergraduate Degree: BEng Mechanical Engineering (University of Leicester)
PhD Summary
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that damages neuronal circuitry in the brain resulting in involuntary movements and cognitive impairment. This project aims to design an in vitro model made of dissociated Central Nervous System (CNS) neurons from different parts of the circuitry to provide essential data on optimal conditions required to re-establish circuitry after damage and provide a tool for screening potential gene or neuroprotective therapies for HD. The first step of designing this HD model involves controlling neuronal adherence and neurite orientation in vitro. Neurons are cultured on aligned topography: nanofibres fabricated using electrospinning, microgrooves and cell adherent/no-adherent strips fabricated using soft lithography and photolithography, respectively. The second step involves the use of microfluidic devices (fabricated via soft and photo-lithography), designed to separate cell bodies from axons, to form neuronal networks. The next stage involves characterizing the function of the neuronal network including measuring electrical activity of the neurons using MEAs (Multi-electrode Arrays) placed underneath the microfluidic device.
Publications, Presentations and Awards
