Neuromuscular junction assay

Isolation of different cell types to reconstitute the in vivo organization

4DCELL DEVICE

Microchannels

 

READ-OUTS

Synapse formation, separation of motor neuron and muscle cells environments, understanding cellular signaling and pathogenic mechanisms in neuromuscular degenerative disorders, investigation of treatments in malfunctioning neuromuscular junctions (NMJs).

 

STANDARD CULTURE LIMITATION

When grown in traditional co-culture with myotubes, motor neurons form rudimentary NMJs.

 

NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION ASSAY

This assay mimics spatial organization between motor neurons (central nervous system/spinal cord) and muscle cells (peripheral nervous system).

As motor neurons and muscle cells face very differenin vivo microenvironments, culturing neurons and myoblasts in separated compartments (with neuronal or muscle cells) using 4Dcell microchannels, mimics physiological situations where only axon passes between them [1] [2].

 

EXAMPLE

Compartmented co-cultures of glial and muscle cells added with motor neurons on microfluidic chambers [1]