A significant limiting factor in pharmaceutical discovery for neurological disorders and diseases is the unreliability of current pre-clinical drug testing. Thankfully, a clinically relevant in vitro model has demonstrated a higher reliability with great promise. In a research and design (R&D) styled study, two limiting components of the device were in focus. First, the existing fabrication process of Nerve-on-a-Chip model fabrication is laborious, limiting the ability to rapidly manufacture for cheap. The second component in focus was limiting the axonal outgrowth in unwanted directions. To address these issues, an adapted 3D printer was utilized to produce the models using a protein-releasing, cell-laced hydrogel bioink. In doing so, the fabrication process became more automated while implementing this new hydrogel extracellular environment. By efficiently creating an ultrarealistic model at scale, neuro-pharmaceutical companies will have the ability to test the interactions and efficacy of more potential compounds with a higher level of certainty.
