CNSx3 is a new SSF-funded multidisciplinary research center for complex cellular systems, with the goal of developing advanced, lab-grown models of the central nervous system, known as brain organoids. The aim is to develop new treatments for brain diseases and to tailor therapies for individual patients.
Three techniques will be used together: organoid cultures in fluid circuits, patient-specific biobanks, and advanced computational methodology. To succeed, researchers with expertise from various research fields and different backgrounds must collaborate, which is one of the stated goals of SSF's center initiative. Daniel Aili, a professor of biophysics and biotechnology at Linköping University, is one of the researchers involved in the initiative.
"In this call, SSF is funding only one center, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to take CNSx3 from concept to reality. We will also closely collaborate with several companies, healthcare providers, and patient organizations," he says.
As a biomaterials researcher, Daniel Aili will lead the development of support materials to guide the formation of the organoids. His research group will also work extensively on manufacturing and integrating blood vessel-like structures into the systems, using various biofabrication techniques they are helping to develop.
"These are incredibly exciting and complex scientific challenges that are central to creating sufficiently physiologically relevant brain models for studying disease mechanisms and new treatments."
The principal investigator for the grant is Sven Nelander from Uppsala University.
