Understanding the Neurotoxicological effects of pesticides using microfluidic cultures models

Understanding the Neurotoxicological effects of pesticides using microfluidic cultures models. Location: Raouf lab, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London Principal investigator: Dr Ramin Raouf

Title: A microfluidic organ-on-a-chip model of neuropathy for the study of neurotoxicity associated with exposure to pesticides

Chemical pesticides are widely used in agriculture and can cause neurotoxicity in humans and animals. One of the manifestations of pesticide-induced neurotoxicity is neuropathy, which is a damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves that can cause pain, numbness, weakness and tingling in the affected areas. The mechanisms underlying pesticide-induced neuropathy are not fully understood, but may involve the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, oxidative stress, inflammation, and axonal degeneration.

Current in vitro models of neuropathy have limitations such as low yield, variability, and lack of physiological relevance. Microfluidic devices are emerging as a promising alternative to study neuropathy in vitro, as they allow the isolation and manipulation of axons in a controlled microenvironment that mimics the in vivo conditions. Our lab has pioneered the use of microfluidic cultures as organ-on-a-chip models to study mechanism of neuropathy (see Further reading).

We have developed the methodology and optimized the protocols for assessing neuronal function and network connectivity in microfluidic devices and have shown how this cell culture model can offer a physiologically relevant alternative to animal studies of neuropathological processes.