Cellular test systems

Research activities Ercan-Herbst-Lab

The current research project is concerned with developing an advanced model based on induced pluripotent stem cells for investigating the human blood-brain barrier.

Project: In vitro human stem cell-based blood-brain-barrier platform to study drug delivery and neurological diseases (3D-hiPSC-BHS)

The ‘3D-hiPSC-BHS’ project is developing an innovative in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Artificially produced human stem cells are used to cultivate different brain cell types in a 3D nanofibre transwell system. This model will be used to investigate drug permeability through the BBB, analyse the effects on brain cells and research the molecular mechanisms underlying the destruction of the BBB in neurological diseases.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selectively permeable barrier that protects the brain by separating it from the bloodstream and ensuring a stable environment for neuronal activity. Disorders of the BBB are associated with various neurological diseases. Despite their importance for brain health, the barrier properties of the BBB hamper the development of neuropharmaceuticals by preventing most small molecules and biologics from reaching the brain. Research into the human BBB therefore requires human-based, physiologically relevant models.

The ‘3D-hiPSC-BBB’ project of Prof Dr Ebru Ercan Herbst aims to develop an advanced in vitro model of the BBB. This model uses induced human stem cells to generate different brain cell types in a 3D nanofibre transwell system. This will allow the permeability of drugs through the BBB to be assessed, the effects on brain cells to be investigated and the molecular mechanisms underlying BBB destruction in neurological diseases to be explored.

Project duration 01.01.2025-31.12.2026

Funding: Carl Zeiss Foundation Research Start Programme