Early-stage data suggests that BrainMix protocols can be successfully applied to a mouse genetic model of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), opening new possibilities for disease modelling and therapeutic research.

SMA is a leading inherited genetic cause of infant mortality, affecting approximately 1 in every 6,000–10,000 newborns. The disease causes progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and reduced life expectancy. While three disease-modifying treatments currently exist, there remains a strong need for next-generation therapies and improved research models.

In collaboration with Professor Melissa Bowerman, Professor of Neuromuscular & Skeletal Disorders at Keele University, the BrainMix team used brain tissue from an SMA mouse model to establish BrainMix cultures.

Following freezing and thawing using BrainMix protocols, preliminary findings demonstrated the successful generation of a multicellular brain cell sheet containing:

• Neurons
• Astrocytes
• Oligodendrocytes
• Microglia

Importantly, researchers also observed that the neurons retained electrical signalling capability, with firing rates increasing over time.

The cultures were maintained beyond the natural lifespan of the SMA mouse model, enabling investigation of later disease stages not easily studied in vivo.

These promising results indicate that BrainMix may provide a valuable platform for a wider range of genetic disease models, while also supporting tissue sharing where access to specialist models is limited.