A new tissue model created by bioengineers could alter how scientists study the brain in vitro. Bioengineers have constructed a three-dimensional brain-like tissue that works and has structure features similar to tissue in the rat brain, which can be kept alive in a lab for over two months.

Researchers began using the brain-like tissue to study chemical and electrical changes that happen instantly following a traumatic brain injury. In another experiment, scientists examined changes that may occur in response to a drug.

Boston-based Tissue Engineering Resource Center at Tufts University developed the tissue. The efforts were led by David Kaplan, PhD, Stern Family Professor of Engineering at Tufts University.

As reported in the August 11th edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team of bioengineers successfully constructed working 3D brain-like tissue that demonstrates grey-white matter compartmentalization and that is able to survive in the lab for over two months.

Rosemarie Hunziker, PhD, program director of Tissue Engineering at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, said in a statement, “This work is an exceptional feat.” She continued, “It combines a deep understand of brain physiology with a large and growing suite of bioengineering tools to create an environment that is both necessary and sufficient to mimic brain function.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injuries account for a large number of deaths and permanent disabilities. There were 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries in 2010, either alone or in conjunction with other injuries.