Provided are biomaterials useful for cell culture, method of preparation thereof, and use thereof. The present biomaterial comprises a crosslinked hydrogel and a peptide chemically attached to the hydrogel, wherein the peptide comprises a histidine-alanine-valine (HAV) sequence. In particular, the present biomaterial may be useful for culturing neurons, brain endothelial cells, and/or glial cells, supporting the formation of synaptically connected neural networks, and growing stem cell-derived organoids that more closely resemble human organs.

Disclosed is a brain blood vessel model composed of a three-dimensional tissue containing defibrated extracellular matrix components and cells including brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes, wherein at least a portion of the above-described cells adheres to the above-described defibrated extracellular matrix.

Provided herein is an in vitro model of the blood brain barrier. In some embodiments, the model includes: an endothelial cell layer, and brain tissue layer comprising neuronal cells, and optionally one or more of astrocytes, pericytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. In some embodiments, the model further comprises a porous membrane between said endothelial cell layer and the neuronal cell layer. A microfluidic device comprising the same and methods of use thereof are also provided.

The present invention relates to three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs and methods of using such 3D tissue constructs to screen for neurotoxic agents. In particular, provided herein are methods of producing and using complex, highly uniform human tissue models comprising physiologically relevant human cells, where the tissue models have the degree of sample uniformity and reproducibility required for use in quantitative high-throughput screening applications.

The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.

The present invention relates to the field of in vitro 3D modeling of neural tissues, particularly of the brain. There is the need of developing cell culture models of neural tissue that reflect physiological aspects of neural tissue. The present invention provides methods of producing bioengineered neuronal organoids (BENOs) which form functional neuronal networks. The present invention also relates to uses and applications of the produced BENOs, e.g., in the fields of drug screening and personalized medicine.

The present invention relates, in part, to blood-brain barrier-like tissues that comprise engineered E40RF1+ endothelial cells, and to various compositions and methods useful for making and using such blood-brain barrier-like tissues—both in vitro and in vivo.

A method of in vitro cellular assay includes measuring an electrical activity of at least two cell populations in a plurality of cell populations that are disposed to be spaced apart from each other and connected to each other via a neurite, in which at least one of the at least two cell populations for which the electrical activity is measured is a cell population including at least one kind of neural cell, and the at least two cell populations each exhibit different electrical activity properties at a point when the electrical activity is measured.

Disclosed herein are methods for identifying a subject with an increased risk of short survival and/or recurrence of glioblastoma or breast cancer, the methods comprising: a) obtaining a brain or breast tissue sample or having obtained a brain or breast tissue sample from a subject; b) determining gene expression levels of one or more of PLK3, FOSL1, ADM, PLAU, VEGFA, NQOI, HMOX1, PGKI, and HPCAL1 in the sample from the subject. Also disclosed herein are diagnostic devices comprising one or more biomarkers, wherein the biomarkers are one or more of PLK3, FOSL1, ADM, PLAU, VEGFA, NQOI, HMOX1, PGKI, and HPCAL1; and a gene expression panel consisting of primers or probes for detecting one or more of DUSP5, PLK3, PPPIR15A, FOSL1, CDKNIA, KLF6, VDR, ARL4C, ADM, PLAU, VEGFA, NQOI, HMOX1, PGKI, LITAF, HPCALI and FTH1 in a sample, and methods for assessing risk of recurrence of glioblastoma or breast cancer in a subject.

[Object] Provided is a method of producing a nerve fascicle including efficiently extending axons of neural cells.

[Solution] Neural cells are cultivated in the presence of feeder cells including at least one type of cells selected from the group consisting of vascular component cells, perivascular cells, and oligodendrocytes.