Authors: Jacob W. Fleming, Molly C. McCloskey, Kevin Gray, David R. Nash, Vincent Leung, Christos Michas, Shawn M. Luttrell, Christopher Cavanaugh, Julie Mathieu, Shawn Mcguire, Mark Bothwell, David L. Mack, Nicholas A. Geisse, and Alec S.T. Smith
Current Research in Toxicology, 26 January 2025
Scientists use Maestro MEA and the Lumos optical stimulation system to characterize motor neuron activity in neuromuscular junction models.
Animal models of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) lack considerable physiological relevance for disease modeling and drug discovery. In this study, the authors developed an iPSC-derived NMJ model, including channelrhodopsin-2-expressing motor neurons, allowing for optogenetic manipulation. To characterize the iPSC-derived motor neurons, the scientists used Axion BioSystems’ noninvasive Maestro MEA platform, demonstrating both spontaneous activity and clear bursts in response to blue light stimulation with the Lumos multiwell light delivery device. Overall, the scientists conclude that, “This model marks a meaningful progression of 3D engineered models of the NMJ, providing engineered tissues at a throughput relevant to potency and screening applications with an abundant iPSC cell source and standardized hardware-software ecosystem allowing technology transfer across laboratories.”
