Development of in vitro blood-brain barrier models: from traditional 2D models to microfluidics

Abstract

Ingles. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly specialised complex structure, and is directly responsible for substances and drugs entering the central nervous system from the blood. Traditional in vitro models have problems to mimic the properties of the barrier in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this project is to work on the development of an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier based on a microfluidic chip device. By studying the transition from a traditional model using transwell inserts to a three-dimensional model using a microfluidic chip device, which has features that better mimic the barrier in vivo. Progress was made in the development of the two-dimensional model in the inserts and the first steps for implementation in the three-dimensional model were taken.