Comprehensive Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Model Service Solutions for CNS Drug Discovery
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective and dynamic interface formed mainly by brain microvascular endothelial cells, supported by pericytes, astrocytes, and extracellular matrix within the neurovascular unit. It tightly regulates molecular exchange between the bloodstream and the central nervous system to maintain neural homeostasis and protect the brain from toxins and pathogens. BBB endothelial cells have low permeability and active transport systems, making it one of the most restrictive biological barriers—over 98% of small molecule drugs and nearly all biologic therapeutics cannot effectively cross it, posing a major challenge for CNS drug development and neurological research.
Creative Biolabs' BBB model services offer industry-leading in vitro and microfluidic BBB models that capture the critical physiological, mechanical, and molecular features essential for translational neuroscience and drug discovery.
Service Highlights
Versatility
Models tailored to different species and experimental aims.
Physiological Relevance
Human cell-based 3D models with tight junctions, transporter expression, and self-organized vasculature.
Predictive Performance
Permeability values comparable to in vivo animal data, supporting better translation to clinical outcomes.
High-Throughput Capability
Scalable for larger screening projects and collaborative translational research.
Our BBB Modeling Platform
Advanced Microfluidic BBB-on-Chip Models
Our cutting-edge organ-on-chip technology delivers highly physiologically relevant BBB models.
- 3D Self-Assembled Microvascular Networks: Human endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes cultured in fibrin hydrogels form capillary-like structures that closely mimic the in vivo BBB.
- Dynamic Perfusion: Controlled fluid flow simulates physiological blood circulation, crucial for preserving tight junctions and proper BBB function.
- Quantitative Permeability & Real-Time Imaging: Fluorescence and confocal microscopy combined with perfusion sampling and sensitive assays (ELISA, mass spectrometry) provide precise barrier permeability data.
- Physiological Advantage over Static Models: Compared to 2D cultures, these chips show more accurate vascular structures, improved gene and protein expression, and consistent barrier permeability that better predicts drug transport in vivo.
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Classical and Complementary Models
- 2D Transwell Co-cultures: Human or animal brain microvascular endothelial cells with supporting pericytes and astrocytes form barriers validated by TEER and molecular tracer assays.
- iPSC-Derived BBB Organoids: 3D constructs derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, suitable for personalized medicine and complex disease modeling.
- Customized Species-Specific Models: Flexibility to match species and experimental goals.
Our Comprehensive Services
In Vitro BBB Model Construction
- Cell-based Barrier Models: We offer a variety of models featuring co-culture systems with BMECs, pericytes, and astrocytes arranged to closely mimic the native BBB environment.
- 3D Microfluidic Systems: Utilization of human iPSC-derived endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes in microfluidic chips to form robust, perfusable 3D BBB models.
- Customizable Models: Choose from human, mouse, or rat-derived cells based on research needs, including immortalized and primary cell lines.
Permeability Assessment & Drug Screening
- Apparent Permeability Testing: Quantitative assessment of compound transport across the BBB model using validated protocols (e.g., TEER measurements, LCMS/MS).
- Transporter and Receptor Functionality: Models express key BBB transporters (P-GP, MRP1, MRP4, LRP1, and GLUT-1) to evaluate drug efflux and uptake.
- High-throughput Screening: Capability to screen multiple compounds for CNS penetration efficiency and toxicity, supporting early-stage drug development.
Disease Modeling & Mechanistic Studies
- Neurodegenerative Disease Models: Simulate BBB dysfunction associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis.
- Infectious Disease & Oncology: Assess barrier integrity and pathogen entry, or model BBB permeability in brain cancers for drug delivery studies.
- Custom Assay Development: Partner with clients for specialized applications such as inflammatory response, neuroinflammation, and cell-to-cell interaction studies.
Advanced Technical Methods
Our BBB models harness a combination of advanced bioengineering, microfabrication, and cellular biology techniques.
- Microfluidic Chip Fabrication
- Co-culture Techniques
- Dynamic Culture
- Barrier Validation
- Molecular and Functional Characterization
- High-Throughput Capability
Service Workflow
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Consultation & Project Design
Understand your scientific objectives, therapeutic targets, desired readouts, and model preferences.
Define experimental endpoints, compound/cell inputs, and timelines.
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Model Establishment
Select optimal BBB configuration—2D, 3D, organoid, species, or patient-derived.
Validate barrier formation using TEER, permeability markers, and junction protein expression.
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Assay Customization & Optimization
Develop or adapt testing protocols for specific mechanism investigation (e.g., transporter involvement, inflammation).
Pilot mini-experiments for workflow optimization and quality assurance.
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Sample Testing & Data Collection
Conduct agreed studies: drug permeability, neurotoxicity screening, disease simulation, etc.
Employ advanced data collection: real-time imaging, molecular assays, physiological monitoring.
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Analysis & Reporting
Analyze permeability coefficients, transporter function, cellular responses, or disease model outcomes.
Deliver comprehensive reports with raw data, interpreted results, and recommendations.
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Expert Review & Ongoing Support
Discuss findings and implications with scientific experts.
Provide troubleshooting, protocol adaptation, and follow-up consulting as needed.
Applications Enhanced by BBB Models
Drug Delivery & Permeability Assessment
Our BBB models provide precise evaluation of drug and delivery system transport across the barrier under physiologically relevant, dynamic conditions. Using perfused co-culture systems, we quantify small molecules, biologics, and nanocarrier passage. Microfluidic BBB chips generate permeability data that correlate well with in vivo results, differentiating passive diffusion from transporter-mediated mechanisms such as P-glycoprotein efflux. Human iPSC-derived BBB models demonstrate higher predictive accuracy than traditional rat BBB or Caco-2 models.
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Neurotoxicity and Safety Profiling
We assess compounds for their ability to cross the BBB and their potential to disrupt barrier integrity or cause neurotoxicity. Through repeated dosing and functional measurements like TEER, we evaluate effects on barrier structure and neuronal health. Our BBB models mimic in vivo neuronal protection by intact barriers, ensuring that only compounds reaching the CNS induce toxicity, thus improving neurotoxicity and drug-drug interaction risk assessments.
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Disease Modeling
Our BBB model platforms offer realistic simulations to study barrier dysfunction in major neurological diseases, advancing translational research and therapy development. We replicate BBB changes seen in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, as well as ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Using microfluidic chips and patient-derived iPSC models, we reproduce critical pathological features including tight junction loss, altered transporter and receptor expression, and inflammation.
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Infection and Inflammation Studies
Our BBB models enable the study of pathogen interactions, systemic inflammation, and immune cell movement across the human blood-brain barrier. We simulate bacterial, viral, and autoimmune conditions to measure changes in barrier permeability and cytokine signaling, while tracking immune cell migration. Research shows that BBB disruption is a key feature of systemic inflammation and infection. Exposure to inflammatory mediators such as LPS and cytokines increases paracellular permeability. These findings are supported by studies using both static and dynamic in vitro BBB models.
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Personalized Medicine
Our BBB models utilize patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create personalized, disease-specific platforms for individualized drug screening and therapy development. Recent research demonstrates that iPSC-based BBB chips can faithfully reproduce patient-specific barrier abnormalities linked to disorders such as Huntington's disease, Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. These platforms support mechanistic studies and facilitate precision medicine by allowing tailored evaluation of potential treatments.
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Mechanistic Research
Our BBB models provide powerful tools to dissect the complex biological pathways governing BBB function and dysfunction. Current molecular research reveals that BBB permeability results from a delicate balance between passive diffusion and active transporter activity. Disease states often perturb signaling networks and transporter functions, contributing to barrier breakdown and altered molecular trafficking. Advanced BBB platforms enable detailed, high-resolution study of these processes, advancing understanding of BBB biology and guiding therapeutic development.
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Why Partner with Us?
Technical Leadership: Employing the latest microfluidic and 3D modeling technologies to replicate in vivo BBB features.
Customization & Flexibility: Tailored BBB platforms to fit unique compound properties, disease models, and research aims.
Comprehensive Support: From experimental design to data interpretation and follow-up collaboration.
Translational Relevance: Models validated to simulate human BBB biology with predictive power for clinical outcomes.
Empower your CNS drug discovery and neuroscience research with our state-of-the-art BBB models. Contact our expert team today to design your custom project and accelerate breakthrough innovations.
Our Trusted Partners
We are proud to collaborate with a network of leading organizations and institutions across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic sectors. These partnerships enhance our capabilities, foster innovation, and ensure the highest quality and reliability in our Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) modeling services. Together, we drive forward cutting-edge CNS research and accelerate the development of transformative therapies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Dornhof, Johannes, et al. “Microfluidic Organ-on-Chip System for Multi-Analyte Monitoring of Metabolites in 3D Cell Cultures.” Lab on a Chip, vol. 22, no. 2, Jan. 2022, pp. 225–39. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1039/d1lc00689d.
- Ohshima, Makiko, et al. “Prediction of Drug Permeability Using In Vitro Blood–Brain Barrier Models with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells.” BioResearch Open Access, vol. 8, no. 1, Nov. 2019, pp. 200–09. DOI.org, https://doi.org/10.1089/biores.2019.0026.
- Wu, Ying-Chieh, et al. “Blood–Brain Barrier and Neurodegenerative Diseases—Modeling with iPSC-Derived Brain Cells.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22, no. 14, Jul. 2021, p. 7710. DOI.org, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147710.
- Galea, Ian. “The Blood–Brain Barrier in Systemic Infection and Inflammation.” Cellular & Molecular Immunology, vol. 18, no. 11, Nov. 2021, pp. 2489–501. DOI.org, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-021-00757-x.
- Workman, Michael J., and Clive N. Svendsen. “Recent Advances in Human iPSC-Derived Models of the Blood–Brain Barrier.” Fluids and Barriers of the CNS, vol. 17, no. 1, Dec. 2020, p. 30. DOI.org, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12987-020-00191-7.
- Jamieson, John J., et al. “Engineering the Human Blood-Brain Barrier in Vitro.” Journal of Biological Engineering, vol. 11, no. 1, Dec. 2017, p. 37. DOI.org, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13036-017-0076-1.
- Doherty, Elizabeth L., et al. “Microfluidic and Organ-on-a-Chip Approaches to Investigate Cellular and Microenvironmental Contributions to Cardiovascular Function and Pathology.” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, vol. 9, Feb. 2021, p. 624435. DOI.org, https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.624435.
- Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 3.0, without modification.
- Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
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