Bioengineers Develop First Fully Synthetic Human Brain Model

Researchers at the **University of California, Riverside** have achieved a significant milestone by creating the first fully synthetic model of human brain tissue. This breakthrough, known as the **Bijel-Integrated PORous Engineered System (BIPORES)**, eliminates the need for animal-derived materials, representing a major advancement in neural tissue engineering.

The aim of neural tissue engineering is to replicate the brain’s complex extracellular matrix, which is essential for supporting the growth and connectivity of nerve cells. Traditional lab techniques have struggled to accurately reproduce the brain’s intricate design, often overlooking crucial details that influence cell behavior. The new BIPORES system offers a promising alternative by providing a fully synthetic platform for researchers.

Prince David Okoro, the lead author of the study, emphasized the implications of this innovation, stating, “Since the engineered scaffold is stable, it permits longer-term studies.” This stability is particularly vital for studying mature brain cells, which are more representative of actual tissue function during investigations of diseases and traumas.

The BIPORES material is primarily composed of **polyethylene glycol (PEG)**, a chemically neutral polymer that typically repels cells. To address this challenge, the research team employed a novel technique called **STrIPS**, which allows for the continuous production of tiny particles and fibers with sponge-like internal structures. Previous attempts were limited to creating materials only up to **200 micrometers** thick, constrained by the movement of molecules during formation.

To enhance the thickness and functionality of the synthetic brain model, the researchers designed the BIPORES system by integrating large-scale fibrous shapes with complex pore patterns inspired by bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels, known as bijels. This innovative design employs a gel-like PEG solution, which is transformed into a porous network and stabilized with silica nanoparticles.

Using a custom microfluidic setup combined with a bioprinter, the team constructed 3D structures featuring interconnected pores that facilitate the movement of nutrients and waste, essential for cell survival. When tested with neural stem cells, the BIPORES material showed promising results, encouraging strong cell attachment and growth, as well as the formation of active nerve connections.

Iman Noshadi, an associate professor of bioengineering at UCR, remarked on the potential of the BIPORES system, stating, “The material ensures cells get what they need to grow, organize, and communicate with each other in brain-like clusters.” This capability allows for greater control in designing tissue models, paving the way for more accurate studies of brain function and disease.

At present, the scaffold measures just **two millimeters** across, but the research team is actively working to scale up the model. They have submitted additional research exploring the application of this approach to liver tissue as part of a broader vision to develop interconnected lab-grown mini-organs that can interact like real organs in the human body.

Noshadi highlighted the significance of this interconnected system, explaining, “It would let us see how different tissues respond to the same treatment and how a problem in one organ may influence another.” This research represents a step forward in understanding human biology and disease in a more integrated manner.

From a biomimicry perspective, the layered fabrication approach of the BIPORES system significantly enhances the mimicry of real brain tissue behavior. This advancement positions it as a powerful tool for studying neurological diseases, testing new drugs, and potentially developing future treatments to repair or replace damaged neural tissue.

The findings of this groundbreaking study have been published in the journal **Advanced Functional Materials**, marking a significant contribution to the field of bioengineering and neuroscience.