American researchers have measured electrical activity in miniature brains, which, according to the researchers, are supposed to be similar to brain waves in premature infants.

Using the novel organ-on-a-chip technology, scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB as well as from the University of Tübingen have succeeded in simulating the complexity of the human retina in a microphysiological system. The retina-on-a-chip model can help to investigate eye diseases and test the harmful side effects of drugs on the eyes.

In two new projects, researchers from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology at Braunschweig University of Technology will develop human nasal mucosa and cornea models in order to achieve more reliable results and avoid animal experiments. In oneof the projects, a corneal model will be further developed to fulfil the high requirements of drug testing for eye diseases. The second project deals with the simulation of a human nasal mucous membrane on a chip system.

Using cell cultures a researcher team from the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf has investigated, what effects carbon nanoparticles have on cells. The results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.