The goal of this project is to develop a robust human-stem-cell-based neurobiological model platform, which uses miniaturised controlled neural organoids (MiCOs) from the three primary central nervous system regions. MiCOs are combined with multi-electrode array (MEA) and single-cell RNA sequencing for functional and bioinformatic transcriptional evaluation. This will potentially result in a very reproducible human platform that can be used to validate drugs to treat neurological disorders.

Traditionally, animal models have been used to identify and test drug graduates to treat neurological disorders. However, a disproportionate number of the substances discovered and validated in animal experiments fail to translate to humans. A more advanced system of models, which includes a diversity of human cells to recapitulate tissue from the central nervous system and uses the patient's genetic background, is required to more accurately model the causes of human diseases.

Participants:

• Associate Professor Mark Denham, DANDRITE, Department of Biomedicine
• Professor Daniel Otzen, iNANO/Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Jonathan Niclis, Novo Nordisk A/S
• Morten Venø, Omiics ApS