Developing a novel micropattern protocol to model early neural development and neural tube defects

I have developed a novel micropatterning method for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by emulating embryonic tissue formation through geometric confinement of cell growth. This cost-effective and adaptable technique proves advantageous for witnessing early developmental events and assessing disease-related defects. Traditional micropatterning techniques are limited in their flexibility, generating patterns in specific spatial arrangements and selective culture-wear. Our model makes micropatterning accessible to a broader scientific community by printing patterns directly into plates using a bioprinter, controlling diameter and placement of pattern quickly and efficiently. In our study, we used this approach to investigate potential neural tube defects of Tuberous Sclerosis, cultivating colonies from a hPSC line with a TSC2 gene knockout (TSC2-/-). TSC2-/- colonies displayed pronounced structural disparities when compared to control, validating our method's potential for detailed pathological studies. This advancement paves the way for enhanced reproducibility and affordability in developmental disease models.