In July 2014 researchers from the Biomedical Engineering Department of Rutgers University in New Jersey demonstrated their novel “Brain-on-a-Chip” microsystem to study how brain trauma damages axons. Using the system they can get a 3D picture of how living axons are strained or even sheared by external force of varying strengths and vectors. They can also test experimental drugs to see which ones reduce mitochondrial damage after application of external force, and in this way find candidates for post-TBI drug therapy in the hospital. The lead scientist on this project is Martin Yarmush MD, Ph.D.
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