At the hBMS Lab (Human Brain Microphysiological Systems Laboratory), we are working to improve how human brain tissue, or brain organoids, is grown and studied in the laboratory. Current brain organoid models often develop inconsistently and do not fully mimic the environment of the human brain, limiting their reliability for research, drug testing, and future clinical applications. Our project aims to create a new platform that supports brain tissue growth in a way that is more stable, more realistic, and more reflective of natural human brain conditions. By providing the structural and environmental cues that current models lack, this platform will enable brain organoids to mature more consistently and function more predictably. This work fills a major gap in preclinical research by offering a human-based, ethical alternative to animal testing, an approach increasingly aligned with global regulatory directions, including recent moves by the FDA to support non-animal test systems. The outcome will be a prototype “Brain Tissue-on-Chip” (BToC) system designed to reduce variability and improve the quality and reliability of laboratory brain models. It will be valuable for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology groups, and neuroscience researchers who need scalable and human-relevant systems for studying disease and developing new treatments. By advancing these next-generation models, this project positions Australia as a leader in innovative approaches to brain research, drug discovery, and personalised medicine.
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