3D-Printed Sensors Measure Spinal Cord Malformations in Embryos

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Spinal cord malformation

To better understand and prevent spinal cord malformations like spina bifida. A team of UCL scientists has successfully implanted 3D-printed sensors directly into the growing brains and spinal cords of chicken embryos.

The work, published in Nature Materials and conducted in partnership with the University of Padua and the Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM). It uses novel biotechnologies to detect the mechanical forces exerted by the embryo during its growth.

The development of anatomical systems and organs, including the neural tube that gives rise to the central nervous system, depends on these forces. Moreover, despite decades of research, molecular and genetic studies alone are unable to fully explain these anomalies.

Consequently, the physical and mechanical stresses in tissues during embryonic development are currently being studied by researchers. This can be difficult, though, because the developing spinal cord is incredibly delicate and tiny. For this reason, force measuring tools must also be tiny and flexible to prevent causing abnormal growth.

To get around these problems, scientists 3D printed minuscule force sensors, only 0.1 mm in width. And placed them straight inside the chicken embryos’ growing neural systems.

Initially, these force sensors are delivered directly to developing embryos as a liquid. The liquid turns into a solid that resembles a spring when subjected to a powerful laser. The solid material adheres to the developing spinal cord of the embryo and undergoes deformation. This is due to the mechanical stresses generated by the cells within the embryo.

These forces need to outweigh the opposing negative factors for embryonic growth to proceed normally. By quantifying the forces, scientists can investigate medications that can either increase or decrease positive forces. To avoid congenital deformities like spina bifida.

Furthermore, these medications may also enhance the advantages of folic acid supplementation. That is a tried-and-true method of reducing developmental issues both before and during pregnancy. The study team additionally demonstrated the potential application of this technology to human stem cells during their differentiation into spinal cord cells.

This would make it possible to compare the stem cells of patients with spina bifida with healthy donors in the future to determine why certain individuals get the disorder.

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