Neuroscience Seminar Series: Sherin Abdelrahman

Title: Mini Brain-in-a-Dish for In Vitro Modeling of Parkinson’s Disease Using Ultrashort Self-Assembling Peptide Scaffolds
With Dr. Sherin Abdelrahman, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
See the Neuroscience Seminar Series website for Zoom links. 
Summary:

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological condition marked by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in a brain region called the substantia nigra. In this study, mini brains-in-a-dish were developed using ultrashort self-assembling peptides as scaffolds for the in vitro study of Parkinson's disease.  These three-dimensional models proved to be compatible with dopamine neurons both from mouse embryos and those derived from human embryonic stem cells. When exposed to a neurotoxin known to specifically destroy dopamine neurons, the models accurately mimicked the expected neuron loss. Moreover, multi-electrode array recordings of the spontaneous electrical activity of the encapsulated dopaminergic neurons over an extended period showed sustained signal strength for over a month. These models were further enhanced by integrating endothelial cells, which facilitated the growth of neurites and the formation of a denser neuronal network. A distinct 3D bioprinted model, mimicking the mouse brain's architecture and specifically designed for dopaminergic neurons, was also introduced. These innovative 3D neuronal models can serve as a foundational platform for the exploration of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, potentially accelerating the discovery of more effective treatments and insights into these conditions

Speaker Biography

Sherin Abdelrahman is a highly accomplished postdoctoral fellow at the Laboratory for Nanomedicine, KAUST, with a focus on the utilization of ultrashort self-assembling peptides for 3D in vitro models and bioprinting. Her research has been published in reputable journals, including Biofabrication, Nano Letters, and ACS Nano. She has been honored with awards including the BESE Dean's Award from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the ISBF Best Poster Presentation Award in Montecatini, Italy. Abdelrahman is committed to advancing the field by addressing the challenges of translating in vitro studies to in vivo applications. Her talk offers insights into the applications of ultrashort self-assembling peptides for the in vitro modeling of neurodegenerative diseases.