Unravelling neuronal growth cone mechanobiology via sub-micrometric fabrication and super-resolution microscopy

Comparing the growth of healthy and diseased neurons is fundamental to understand and tackle neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The growth cone (GC) is a mechanosensitive structure, which probes the surrounding environment and connects neurons.

To date, the GC has mainly been studied by employing unrealistic 2D bulky “petri-dish” configurations unable to mimic the brain microenvironment.

We will pioneer a reproducible 3D GC model by combining 3D printed sub-micrometric biomaterials, able to simulate the geometrical and mechanical features in the brain, together with super-resolution microscopy. The results will pave the way for comparative studies involving diseased neurons.