How Jens Schwamborn contributes to corona research with 3D mini-brains.
Jens Schwamborn is currently studying the effects of the virus on the brain with his research team at OrganoTherpeutics using 3D mini brain models. These were originally developed to study Parkinson’s disease, but are also proving useful in the current pandemic situation.
– How does SARS-CoV2 affect the human brain?
– How can mini-brains help with Covid-19 research?
– What does drug repurposing mean?
– Can more diseases be studied with mini-brains?
HOW DOES SARS-CoV2 EFFECT THE HUMAN BRAIN?
As Jens Schwamborn explains, a link between coronaviruses and neurological abnormalities has already been established in previous trials with SARS-CoV 1. A study of the SARS-CoV2 variant has now shown that a large proportion of people who fell ill with corona suffered neuronal losses to the brain in addition to the familiar symptoms such as respiratory problems and lung failure. Furthermore, Schwamborn elaborates, the virus has also been detected in the intestines of some patients, which in turn means that it is able to take hold and multiply in cell and tissue types in general. The scientist explains that, in general, there appear to be two pathways by which the virus can affect the central nervous system – the blood and neuronal dissemination. This makes it all the more important to study the neurological effects of SARS-CoV2 as soon as possible.
HOW CAN MINI-BRAINS HELP WITH COVID-19 RESEARCH?
As Jens Schwamborn describes, Covid-19 research with brain organoids is carried out using two steps. First, the mini-brain models are grown using stem cells, which in turn are derived from harvested skin cells. Once the development of the brain organoids is complete, Jens Schwamborn hands them over to the Luxembourg Institute of Health. There, the models are infected with SARS-CoV2 under strict safety precautions. The virus is then rendered inactive by a special procedure so that the transport back to OrganoTherapeutics can proceed safely. In the second step, the infected mini-brains are then examined for cell death and reduction of neuronal function using state-of-the-art technology. As Jens Schwamborn explains, the data obtained will help determine which changes in the genes triggered the viral infection.
WHAT DOES DRUG REPURPOSING MEAN?
According to Schwamborn, work with brain organoids is still in its infancy and offers a wide range of research opportunities. So-called drug repurposing is a method that is also being used to combat SARS-CoV2. According to Jens Schwamborn, drugs that are already known and used in other areas are tested on brain organoid models using artificial intelligence. The mini-brains are treated with the active substances after they have been infected. OrganoTherapeutics then conducts an analysis that will hopefully soon be used to identify suitable compounds from which to develop drugs to treat neuronal symptoms of covid-19.
CAN MORE DISEASES BE STUDIED WITH MINI-BRAINS?
Jens Schwamborn’s answer to this is yes. The model also offers opportunities in other research areas to study and analyze cell types that interact with neurons. In addition, mini-brains offer the possibility to conduct research on brain activities without having to rely on human or animal subjects.
OrganoTherapeutics use cutting-edge human-specific mini-brains for the discovery and development of effective drug candidates targeting Parkinson“s disease. We screen new molecules on our proprietary human-specific minibrains which represent a model mimicking faithfully the human Parkinson“s disease pathology. OrganoTherapeutics aims at developing new drug candidates against Parkinson“s disease which are tested in state-of-the art 3D patient models. OrganoTherapeutics has developed first own proprietary drug candidates and has access to attractive libraries for further screening.
Company-Contact
OrganoTherapeutics
Jens Schwamborn
Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux 6A
4365 Esch-sur-Alzette
Phone: +4917680774615
E-Mail: jens.schwamborn@organo-therapeutics.com
Url: http://organo-therapeutics.com/
Press
OrganoTherapeutics
Jens Schwamborn
Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux 6A
4365 Esch-sur-Alzette
Phone: +4917680774615
E-Mail: organo-therapeutics@clickonmedia-mail.de
Url: http://organo-therapeutics.com/
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