This technology is an integrated microwell-based multi-tissue culture system that contains standardized systems allowing for automated maintenance of cultures over time.
Unmet Need: Automated cell culture platform that recapitulates native tissue environment
Cellular culture practices are widely used in research in development to better understand cells in their natural environment and their response to genetic and pharmaceutical perturbations. However, standard tissue culture setups do not reflect the true biology of their native organ of origin which may confound results. Moreover, the establishment and maintenance of cell cultures can be expensive and incredibly labor-intensive, requiring constant attention by researchers to ensure viability. There is a need for user-friendly or automated cell culture systems that more accurately model cell and tissue environments.
The Technology: Standardized, integrated multi-tissue culture system
This technology is a user-friendly, microwell-based multi-tissue culture system. The system utilizes standardized sizing and components, enabling compatibility with existing analytical and robotic equipment. Smart features such as integration of onboard pumping, electrical stimulation, sensing, and remote communication enable automated culture maintenance. The ability to simultaneously culture multiple tissues enables improved modeling of native tissue environments and systemic responses to genetic or therapeutic perturbations.
Applications:
- Drug screening for tissue-specific therapeutics
- Drug efficacy and dosing testing for clinical trials
- Research tool for systemic disease modeling
- Research tool for studying cellular development over time
- Research tool for assaying cellular response to therapeutics and stimuli
- Research tool for assessing the response to genetic manipulation of cells in a native environment
- Research tool for assaying cell-cell interactions
- Development tool for induction and maintenance of stem cells
- Producer of tissue for engraftment operations and downstream research applications
Advantages:
- High-throughput platform to study multiple tissues in a miniaturized system
- Compatible with automated systems for cell culture maintenance
- Compatible with standardized analytical equipment
- Reduces hands-on labor and maintenance for researchers
- Designed with the flexibility to support the modeling of various tissue types
- Mimics native biological environment
Lead Inventor:
Keith Yeager, Ph.D.
Patent Information:
Patent Pending (WO/2023/192899)
Related Publications:
- Ronaldson-Bouchard K, Teles D, Yeager K, Tavakol DN, Zhao Y, Chramiec A, Tagore S, Summers M, Stylianos S, Tamargo M, Lee BM, Halligan SP, Abaci EH, Guo Z, Jacków J, Pappalardo A, Shih J, Soni RK, Sonar S, German C, Christiano AM, Califano A, Hirschi KK, Chen CS, Przekwas A, Vunjak-Novakovic G. “A multi-organ chip with matured tissue niches linked by vascular flow.” Nat Biomed Eng. 2022 Apr; 6(4): 351-371.
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