The 4-DBR project proposes to develop a 3D bioprinting strategy to obtain a vascularized minibrain, that can be transplanted into patients affected by neurodegenerative disorders. The first step to achieve this new strategy is to develop protocols to differentiate the distinct cellular components from the same human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) line. Our research group at FRCB-IDIBAPS specialized in stem cell culture, have recently established a protocol to obtain striatal neurons as one of the main targets of neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease.

​

Dr. Alice Louail showed our recent advances in the production of endothelial cells and pericytes as key components of the blood brain barrier. The results indicated that endothelial cells can be obtained from hPSC after 10 days of differentiation. She also introduced preliminary results of our work on culturing and growing mesenchymal cells alone, cultured on decellularized arteries, veins, or brain capillaries, or co-cultured with endothelial cell precursors.

​

Of course, not all was related to science, and the congress closed with a “Dantzaris” performance, a folk basque dance.

​

It was a great pleasure to attend such interesting talks as well as meet amazing people.

​

​