Engineered Tissue Probes - Isis Project No 1378
Researchers in the Department of Engineering Science have developed a technology for the on-line monitoring of cell metabolic activity, cell viability, function and tissue status.
Background
It is important to monitor cell activity and functions inside three-dimensional engineered tissue during the culture process in vitro in order to optimise the design and operation of the tissue culture process. It is also critical to monitor tissue status following transplant/implant (e.g. tissue grafts and implantation of engineered tissue). Possible techniques at present include MRI and ultrasound, both are time consuming, expensive, give low resolution of images and also can only provide limited biochemical data.
In three-dimensional tissue cultures, having a technology that can measure the following would be invaluable:
- Following an implant or transplant:
a. Condition of grafted tissue,
b. Possible signs of cell stress.
- In tissue cultures:
a. Correct cell growth,
b. Correct cell environment.
The Oxford Invention
A micro membrane probe that samples soluble markers of cellular metabolism and tissue turnover both non-destructively and quantitatively within engineered tissue during culture periods in a bioreactor and the subsequent on-line and off-line analyses. The technology also has applications in meat and fish quality inspection (for contaminants such as bacterial toxins, heavy metals and pesticides).
Commercial Opportunity
In order to protect the invention, Isis Innovation Ltd has filed a patent application on this technology. We are interested to hear from companies wishing to licence this technology.
Keywords
micro membrane probes, transplanted tissue, engineered tissue, non-destructive
engineered tissue, tissue culture, 3-D tissue cultures, tissue grafts,
cellular metabolism, tissue turnover, food contamination
Request Further Information: Project Number 1378 - Engineered Tissue Probes