Mechanical characterization of neural organoids using ferrofluid droplets*

The ability of neurons to self-organize into networks has been shown to be influenced by both biochemical and mechanical signals. However, the quantification of mechanics within brain tissue remains an experimental challenge due to its limited accessibility. Neural organoids mimic aspects of the human brain, making the exploration of network formation and function accessible in vitro. The remaining challenge is to probe tissue mechanics in situ to ultimately link neuronal function to mechanical cues.

My group is developing tools for the mechanical and electrophysiological characterization of neuronal organoids. To extract Calcium signals in 3D at high spatiotemporal resolution, we have constructed a custom lightsheet microscope. We quantify neuronal network activity with a minimal set of parameters by applying statistical physics concepts.

Changes in tissue mechanics represent a biophysical hallmark of both organogenesis and tumor formation. Using ferrofluid droplets as mechanical actuators, we record the mechanical properties of developing retinal organoids and tumor-invaded cerebral organoids.

Mechanical and electrophysiological measurements conducted in neural organoids might inform researchers about the interaction between mechanics and function in the development of the central nervous system.