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Belarusian scientists come up with biochip to study brain functions

Photo courtesy of cryptofeed.ru

MINSK, 15 October (BelTA) – Belarusian scientists have designed a biochip for the sake of studying brain functions, BelTA learned from Margarita Dosina, Academic Secretary of the Physiology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB), on 15 October.

A brain research center has been operating under the aegis of the Physiology Institute since 2018. “We model various types of pathologies and try to find solutions. One of the interesting R&D products is a biochip designed to study neural networks, brain functions, and later on create new approaches to treating and restoring brain structures,” she said.

The biochip is unique because in addition to registering electric parameters (brain cells conduct electricity) it can teach stem cells. “In other words, we can pre-differentiate stem cells in the neurogenic direction and receive neurons and neural tissues,” the official noted.

Margarita Dosina pointed out that these days the entire world is trying to minimize the number of experiments on animals and create models that will allow making the transition from in vivo to in vitro. The Physiology Institute has designed a bioprinter that can print tissue samples, including certain brain parts. “For instance, if we need to stage experiments relating to epilepsy, we can place a bit of brain on the biochip and use the model to study the effectiveness of various medications,” she added.

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