Engineer a functional, 3-D vascular niche to support neural stem cell regeneration

The development of perfused, functional microvascular networks in vitro holds enormous potential for tissue engineering. Neural stem cell niches are commonly observed near microvasculature in vivo. These neurovascular niches promote stem cell maintenance and differentiation through the control of many environmental factors. Recreating microvascular networks in vitro is the first step towards understanding their interactions with neural stem cells. In this study, we describe a method used to develop a 3-D microvascular network within a microfluidic device with the eventual goal of recreating the neurovascular niche in vitro.