Brain-on-a-chip: A new frontier in neuroscience

Femke de Vrij, PhD, is an experienced neurobiologist dedicated to uncovering how neuropsychiatric disorders develop at the cellular level. She is a specialist in creating and studying small, living 3D models of the brain (‘brain organoids’), by using stem cells that were originally derived from patients’ skin cells. This cutting-edge technique called human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology offers unique insights into brain disorders that cannot be obtained by brain imaging or animal research. In addition to leading her own lab group and teaching at the Erasmus MC Rotterdam, she is also the principal investigator of the EU-funded 3D-BrAIn project, an ambitious initiative that combines stem cell technology, advanced microelectrode array recording, and AI-driven data analysis. This project aims to develop bio-digital twin models of the human brain, in order to drive breakthroughs in personalized medicine, drug development, and neurotoxicity testing. Femke obtained her PhD on Alzheimer research at the prestigious Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam and has published dozens of original peer-reviewed publications.

Raissa Derckx is a medical doctor and trained neuroscientist driven by a passion for enhancing our quality of life. Whether through nutrition, sports, or psychological insights, she is intrinsically committed to exploring how we can optimize the human body and mind. Her mission is to learn from leading experts and unlock the secrets of staying vibrant and resilient, without being limited by aging or the pressures of modern society. Fascinated by the intricate workings of the mind and body, she’s hence dedicated to bringing cutting-edge scientific knowledge to anyone looking to elevate their physical and mental well-being.