Talk Summary:
This presentation will explore how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) can add human-relevant mechanistic and functional insight to the longitudinal, system-level perspective provided by molecular imaging. Rather than treating these approaches as alternatives, it will show how integrating them can strengthen translational confidence. Harvard Bioscience supports this connection through enabling technologies that span the research continuum, from functional measurements in cellular models to physiological assessment in vivo.

The presentation will focus on organoids as an important NAM for studying human tissue function, disease, and treatment response. It will introduce microelectrode arrays (MEAs), which provide non-invasive measurements of electrical activity in neuronal and cardiac models and allow researchers to follow function over time. Particular attention will be given to flexible Mesh MEAs, which conform to intact three-dimensional organoids and support chronic, longitudinal recordings.

Three case studies will demonstrate these capabilities. (1) Human cortical organoids will illustrate the longitudinal measurement of synchronized neuronal network activity. (2) Human neural spheroids will show how live/dead imaging and Mesh MEA recordings can connect tissue viability and mesh integration with spontaneous activity and pharmacological response. (3) Finally, human cardiac organoids will demonstrate how intracellular electrophysiology can identify drug-induced changes in action potentials, arrhythmias, and chronic treatment effects.

The presentation will reinforce three central takeaways: molecular imaging remains essential for system-level biological understanding; NAMs provide complementary, human-relevant mechanistic evidence; and integrating these technologies can increase confidence in preclinical findings and improve translation. The goal is not to choose between in vivo imaging and alternative models, but to connect them to generate deeper biological insight and more predictive outcomes.

Presenter Biography:
Dr. Jeff Netzeband is an Application Scientist at Harvard Bioscience specializing in electrophysiological technologies for neuroscience and cardiac research. His expertise includes neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, neuronal calcium signaling, and ion-channel function, supported by peer-reviewed research conducted at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and The Scripps Research Institute. Early in his career, Dr. Netzeband supported first- and second-generation automated patch-clamp platforms from Axon Instruments, Molecular Devices, and Sophion Bioscience. Through roles in Applications, Sales, and Field Service, he contributed to the adoption of high-throughput electrophysiology in academic and biopharmaceutical laboratories and its growing role in ion-channel drug discovery. In his current position, he collaborates with researchers applying microelectrode-array and patch-clamp technologies to cellular models, organoids, and tissues. His work helps advance complementary experimental strategies that deepen fundamental biological understanding, strengthen confidence in preclinical findings, and support translational research.

Author
Jeffrey Netzeband
Harvard Bioscience