Sustainable electroactive 3D-neural scaffold technology to advance neurological disease research

In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) set the target that 80% of countries globally will require to supply fundamental medicines and essential technologies by 2031 to manage neurological diseases. Neurological diseases currently are the leading cause of disability adjusted life years (DALY) worldwide and disproportionately affects vulnerable populations namely women, the elderly and people from low socio-economic backgrounds. Global health strategies, including in the UK, recognise the need for innovative neurotechnology research tools to achieve this goal. One key emerging tool in neurological disease research are disease-relevant 3D neurological models in vitro. Several promising models are currently being developed, with some of the main challenges hindering their widespread development being (1) the difficulty in obtaining standardised 3D-cultures with predictable structures and activity and (2) the requirement of labour-intensive approaches. To resolve this, advanced materials scaffolds are being developed, often as passive materials which limits their efficiency. Our research, therefore, aims to synthesise an advanced electroactive cellulose-fatty acids-based composite which will be used to engineer a novel 3D-neural scaffold. The goal of this proposal is to develop a sustainable active 3D-neural scaffold technology, capable of generating viable standardised 3D neural models through electrical neuromodulation, to benefit key neurological disease research.