At the University of Twente in The Netherlands, a researcher named Bart Schurink has created a tiny device for fostering brain cell growth in a three-dimensional environment. It measures only two millimeters on a side and has hundreds of cavities for hosting individual neurons. The cavities are shaped like upside-down pyramids and are big enough for cells to have room to thrive and grow in every direction.
A bioreactor placed on top of the device promotes growth of the cells and the creation of an intercellular network between them. Thereafter, the growth of the cells and the electrical activity between them can closely monitored to study how the cells behave.
The so-called µSEA (micro sieve electrode array) already went through testing using rat brain cells, demonstrating the successful utilization of hundreds of cells.
Source: University of Twente…