NSMI-funded researchers advance human brain tissue study
A North Staffordshire research team supported by the North Staffordshire Medical Institute (NSMI) developed an innovative method of keeping living human brain tissue viable outside the body for laboratory research.
The study, which began in 2017, used tissue donated by patients undergoing surgery for Chiari malformation. The work offered researchers a rare opportunity to study living human brain cells and explore new approaches to understanding brain injury and neurological disease.
The project brought together neurosurgeons, research nurses and scientists from University Hospitals of North Midlands and Keele University.
Using tissue donated during Chiari Surgery
Chiari malformation is a condition in which part of the cerebellum sits lower than usual at the base of the skull.
In some cases, patients require an operation known as foramen magnum decompression to create more space and improve the circulation of fluid around the brain.
During a small number of these procedures, a small amount of cerebellar tissue may need to be removed. Traditionally, this tissue would have been discarded after surgery.
The research team recognised that, with patient consent, these samples could instead provide a valuable source of living human brain tissue for scientific research without requiring any additional procedure or risk to the patient.
Consultant neurosurgeon Mr Nikolaos Tzerakis and Clinical Lecturer and neurosurgeon Mr Jon Sen were among the clinicians involved in developing the approach.
Creating a human brain tissue model
Scientists studying the brain have traditionally faced significant challenges in obtaining healthy human tissue.
Research has often relied on post-mortem samples, diseased tissue or animal models, all of which have limitations when researchers want to understand how living human brain cells respond to injury.
Because tissue removed during Chiari surgery may otherwise be relatively healthy, the team explored whether it could remain viable under laboratory conditions.
The research was led by Professor Divya Chari, Professor of Neural Tissue Engineering at Keele University.
After tissue was collected during surgery, it was transferred rapidly to the laboratory and prepared for study. Researchers found that the samples could remain viable for more than two weeks, significantly exceeding their initial expectations.
They were also able to identify major brain cell types within the samples.
Studying brain injury in the laboratory
Researchers went on to create small injuries within the tissue to investigate whether it responded in ways similar to genuine brain trauma.
Early observations suggested that the samples displayed biological changes associated with brain injury.
This raised the possibility that the tissue could eventually be used as a laboratory model for studying how the human brain responds to damage and for testing potential treatments.
The team emphasised that the research remained at an early stage, with tissue availability dependent on patient consent, the type of surgery undertaken and clinical decisions during each procedure.
However, the initial results demonstrated that living human brain tissue could be maintained successfully under carefully controlled laboratory conditions.
Potential to reduce animal research
One of the important aims of the project was to help develop alternatives to animal experimentation.
Professor Chari had previously worked with models of brain and spinal cord injury in animals and highlighted both the ethical and scientific challenges involved.
A reliable human tissue model could allow scientists to investigate neurological injuries in a system that is directly relevant to human biology while potentially reducing reliance on animal studies.
The project therefore had implications not only for brain injury research but also for the wider development of more representative laboratory models.
Collaboration across clinical and research teams
The success of the project depended on close cooperation between surgical teams, researchers and laboratory scientists.
Alongside Professor Chari, Mr Tzerakis and Mr Sen, contributors included neurosurgeon Mr Rupert Price, research nurse Holly McGuire, and Keele University researchers Dr Jacqueline Tickle and Dr Christopher Adams.
Rapid coordination was particularly important because tissue needed to be collected, transported and processed within a short period to maximise its viability.
The work demonstrated the value of bringing clinical expertise and laboratory science together to develop new approaches to medical research.
Supporting innovative research in North Staffordshire
The study received financial support from the North Staffordshire Medical Institute, helping researchers develop and test their novel approach.
Then Chairman Professor Shaughn O'Brien described the project as an innovative way of studying human neural tissue without creating any additional invasive procedures for patients.
The research reflected NSMI's long-standing commitment to supporting locally based medical and scientific projects with the potential to contribute to wider improvements in healthcare.
That commitment to research and innovation remains an important part of the work associated with the Wade Charitable Foundation and North Staffordshire Medical Institute.