3D Biomanufacturing and Functional Evaluation of Brain-Mimetic Tissue Models and Brain-on-a-Chip Systems

Physiologically relevant in vitro brain models are essential for studying neural development, neurological diseases, and neurotherapeutic responses. However, conventional 2D cell cultures and animal models cannot fully reproduce the complex cellular organization, physiological microenvironment, vascular barriers, and functional activity of the human brain. To address these limitations, we developed a series of biofabrication strategies integrating 3D bioprinting, biomaterial design, organ-on-a-chip technology, and bioelectronic sensing.

Our work focuses on three aspects. First, 3D multicellular and multilayered brain-mimetic models were constructed to reproduce the spatial organization and interactions of neural cells, enabling the evaluation of neural network formation, signal transmission, and glioma-neuron interactions. Second, 3D blood-brain barrier-on-a-chip systems were developed with multicellular organization, selective permeability, perfusion, and real-time functional monitoring, supporting the assessment of drug transport and neural responses. Third, biofunctional neural electrodes with improved mechanical compatibility, electrical performance, and tissue integration were fabricated for stable, multidimensional recording of brain activity. Together, these platforms integrate brain tissue construction with functional evaluation and provide promising tools for brain disease modeling, neuropharmacological research, and precision drug screening.

Wang Ling, Professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ph.D. supervisor, winner of Shaanxi Outstanding Youth Fund. Ph.D. of University of Leeds, UK. She has independently undertaken and participated in numerous projects, including those funded by the Natural Science Foundation, the National Science and Technology Support Program, the Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology etc.She serves as the Deputy Editor-in-chief of Additive Manufacturing Frontiers and the editorial board member of Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics. Her research focuses primarily on additive manufacturing, biomanufacturing, biomechanics, and tissue engineering. She has published over 70 SCI-indexed papers, including Adv. Func. Mater., Bioact Mater., Int. J. Extrem. Manuf., and holds more than 30 authorized national invention patents. She received the First Prize of the 2022 Shaanxi Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award and the First Prize.