Advanced Carbon-engineered Organs-on-a-Chip: Innovative Nanotools-based platforms for Brain Injury Repair

Advanced Carbon-engineered Organs-on-a-Chip: Innovative Nanotools-based platforms for Brain Injury Repair A. Sartini 1 , D. Lattanzi 1 , S. Sartini 1 , A. Turco 2 , R. Rauti 1 ¹Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino 2 CNR Nanotec, Lecce Disorders of the Central Nervous System (CNS) are one of the grand health challenges of this century. Therapeutic development, however, remains limited by poor understanding of the brain. The Neurovascular Unit (NVU) is a complex and specialized structure, composed of multiple cell types: vascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons. These cells are involved in maintaining brain metabolic homeostasis and in its protection against toxins. Because of its role as the gatekeeper of brain functionality, impairments to the NVU have recently been associated with several CNS disorders, including traumatic brain injury. However, the precise role of each NV component is not yet fully established. In modern neuroscience there is an increasing interest in the development of nanotechnologies, as promising therapeutic tools. In particular Carbon-based materials, such as Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Graphene, have been shown to modulate synapse formation and cell excitability, which suggests them as interesting candidates for the amelioration of the NVU altered functionality. Here we describe how CNTs impact primary neuronal networks through the use of electrophysiological and immunofluorescent techniques. Furthermore, we developed an Organs-on-a-Chip (OoC) platform which will allow us to study cell-cell interactions in a more human-relevant model. The adaptability and excellent conductive properties of these nanotools, together with their ability to modulate neuronal activity, might open the way to modern therapeutic strategies for several neurological conditions.