In their model, the researchers under the leadership of Prof. Andrea Robitzki use the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, which had already been proven in previous studies to the so-called tau protein. According to the siencists the cells do not grow as a monolayer but in a spheroid form since they can better simulate the in vivo situation.

The scientists obtain information about disease processes such as how aggressive the disease runs and what exactly happens in the cells. The 3D chips can also display which therapies or potential drugs actually help to treat the disease.

Originalpaper:
Seidel, D., Krinke, D., Jahnke, H.-G., Hirche, A., Kloß, D., Mack, T. G. A., Striggow, F. & Robitzki, A. (2012): Induced Tauopathy in a Novel 3D-Culture Model Mediates Neurodegenerative Processes: A Real-Time Study on Biochips. PLOS ONE 7/11. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)