Abstract: A cell culturing platform for modeling neural activity in vitro includes at least three compartments for containing somas of neurons and guiding tunnels connecting the compartments to each other so that the compartments and the guiding tunnels constitute a closed loop topology. The guiding tunnels act as physical barriers to keep the somas of the neurons in the compartments while allowing axons of the neurons to grow from one compartment to an adjacent compartment. The cell culturing platform is designed so that mutually parallel guiding tunnels connecting each compartment to an adjacent compartment have a same length. As there are no length differences between the parallel guiding tunnels, responses of tests directed to the axons are clearer and thereby easier to detect. A test may include for example arranging a chemical agent in contact with the axons.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and materials for culturing expanding cells in a three-dimensional culture. The material comprises plant-derived anionic nanofibrillar cellulose, wherein the anionic nanofibrillar cellulose is in a form of hydrogel. The invention also provides methods for producing materials and compositions comprising plant-derived anionic nanofibrillar cellulose.