Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2023 - 38

Health & Biotech
tor, or a photonic neural probe, that can be
implanted into a living animal's brain.
The researchers used nanophotonic
technology to create ultrathin silicon-based
photonic neural probes that
emit multiple addressable thin sheets of
light with thicknesses <16 micrometers
over propagation distances of 300 micrometers
in free space. When tested in
brain tissues from mice that were genetically
engineered to express fluorescent
proteins in their brains, the probes permitted
the researchers to image areas as
large as 240 × 490 µm. Moreover, the level
of image contrast was superior to that
with an alternative imaging method called
epifluorescence microscopy.
Describing the significance of his team's
work, the study's lead author, Wesley Sacher,
said, " This new implantable photonic
neural probe technology for generating
light sheets within the brain circumvents
many of the constraints that have limited
the use of light-sheet fluorescence imaging
in experimental neuroscience. We predict
that this technology will lead to new variants
of light-sheet microscopy for deep
brain imaging and behavior experiments
with freely moving animals. "
Such variants would be a boon to neuroscientists
seeking to understand the
workings of the brain.
For more information, visit www.spie.org.
Human Tissue-Like Cellular Assemblies Grown for
Respiratory Studies
New 3D growth method emulates infection dynamics of in vivo microbial invasion.
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
N
ASA researchers have developed a
technology that yields three-dimensional
(3D) tissue-like assemblies (TLAs)
of human broncho-epithelial (HBE) cells
for in vitro research on infection of humans
by respiratory viruses. Compared to
traditional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer
cell culture, the 3D TLAs more acB
NORMAL
EPITHELIUM
curately represent the active environment
present in respiratory infections.
The TLAs were engineered in modeled
microgravity using rotating wall vessel
technology (pictured above) to mimic
the characteristics of in vivo tissue.
The TLAs were bioengineered onto collagen-coated
cyclodextran beads using
primary human mesenchymal bronchial-tracheal
cells (HBTC) as the foundation
matrix and an adult human broncho-epithelial
immortalized cell line
(BEAS-2B) as the overlying component.
The resulting TLAs share significant
characteristics with in vivo human respiratory
epithelium including polarization,
tight junctions, desmosomes, and microvilli.
The presence of tissue-like differentiation
markers including villi, keratins,
and specific lung epithelium markers, as
well as the production of tissue mucin,
further confirm these TLAs have differentiated
into tissues functionally like in
vivo tissues. The assemblies mimic aspects
of the human respiratory epithelium and
provide a unique capability to study the
interactions of respiratory viruses and
their primary target tissue independent
of the host's immune system.
10KV
E
EPITHELIAL SURFACE
POST INFECTION
10KV
X 3,500
X 3,500
5µm
10KV
10KV
X 3,500
X 3,500
5µm
3D human broncho-epithelial (HBE) tissue-like assembly (TLA) preinfection (top) as normal epithelium,
and post wtRSVA2 viral infection epithelial surface (bottom). (Image: NASA)
38
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The method offers a cost-effective
platform that functions like in vivo human
tissue, reducing the need for human
subject testing and supporting a
more controlled testing environment
free from immune system limitations. 3D
TLAs provide an opportunity to study
the tolerance to bioactive ingredients,
the impacts of developing vaccinations
on respiratory tissues, and other applications
directed to product development
for the cosmetics and textile industries.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to
commercialize this technology. Please
contact NASA's Licensing Concierge at
Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov
or call at 202-358-7432 to initiate licensing
discussions. For more information, visit
https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/
MSC-TOPS-94.
Tech Briefs, October 2023

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Tech Briefs Magazine - October 2023

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