Abstract

Bioengineering and Cell Reprogramming Approaches For the Generation of Advanced In vitro Neural Systems

Massimiliano Caiazzo, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University

The understanding of neurodegenerative diseases is strongly hindered by the limited physiological relevance of the animal models that are not able to reproduce the sensitivity and limited regenerative capacity of the human nervous system. To this aim we are devising a variety of experimental approach to generate advanced human neural in vitro models by means of bioengineering and cell reprogramming. Specifically, in my talk, I’ll describe the use of synthetic hydrogel and biofabricated supports to generate a model of dopaminergic system involved in Parkinson’s disease.