Organ-on-chip project investigates diabetes and dementia link
Researchers at the University of Bath are leading a new £500,000 research initiative to investigate how diabetes may contribute to memory loss and cognitive decline using advanced organ-on-chip technology. The project, known as GlucoBrain, will create a miniature connected system that mimics communication between the brain, gut and pancreas. Alongside the University of Bath, the three-year study brings together scientists from the University of Oxford and Johns Hopkins University to build what researchers describe as a first-of-its-kind multi-organ platform. The organ-on-chip device is designed to track how biological signals travel between organs and how glucose levels may influence brain function. Researchers believe the organ-on-chip model could provide critical insight into why people with diabetes appear to face a greater risk of developing dementia-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. The technology may also accelerate drug discovery and reduce dependence on animal testing by offering a more accurate human-based research system. GlucoBrain is funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Health Technologies Connectivity Awards programme and is scheduled to begin in October. Organ-on-chip technology targets …









