AVIMAN
PROJECT DURATION:
09/2017
—
08/2022
TOTAL PROJECT DURATION:
5 Jahre
The Project
AVIMAN combines two technologies, namely the three-dimensional in-vitro cultivation of cells in bioreactors with open microperfusion (OFM). OFM has only a minimal effect on the tissue and allows the growing tissue to be observed in real time for the first time. This allows optimal values for glucose, lactate, oxygen and pH to be found inside the tissue and ensures efficient and safe cell cultivation in bioreactors.
HEALTH and BOKU pooled their expertise as part of the AVIMAN project with the common goal of developing a bioreactor with integrated real-time monitoring of cell cultures.
Our Role in the Project
- HEALTH developed a bioreactor using a 3D printing process and biocompatible printing resins.
- As there was no available online monitoring platform for OFM technology, HEALTH developed a flow cell with integrated oxygen and pH sensors from its commercial partner (PyroScience).
- HEALTH adapted and re-evaluated glucose and lactate sensors from Jobst Technologies for use outside the specifications.
- HEALTH evaluated the monitoring system in Human 3D Full Thickness Skin Equivalents (www.phenion.com) prior to use in the bioreactor.
- HEALTH evaluated the penetration test of the Human 3D Full Thickness Skin Equivalents for lidocaine/prilocaine, diclofenac and acyclovir. A specially post-matured stratum corneum allowed a penetration barrier more similar to the skin.
- HEALTH´s Bioanalysis and Metabolomics Group established the corresponding analyses for lidocaine/prilocaine, diclofenac, and acyclovir.
Research groups
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Customer/Funding Organization
Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft
Project Partner
Universität für Bodenkultur, Wien
Project Details
BACKGROUND
As the population is getting older and older, the demand for cultivated tissue, for example cartilage tissue in reconstructive surgery, is increasing.
Observing tissue growth during cultivation is difficult and laborious. With conventional microscopy, you can only see the surface, and the tissue is destroyed when it is cut up. In order to depict the course of growth over time, a new piece of cell tissue is needed for each point in time.
OFM offers a solution by integrating the OFM probe into in-vitro cell cultivation in bioreactors.
OPEN FLOW MICROPERFUSION (OFM)
OFM has several advantages:
The tissue is not destroyed during the measurement as the OFM probe is as small as a pin. A physiological fluid is pushed through the probe, absorbs the substances in the tissue and is pulled out again by using a pump. The probe is located in the tissue and enables direct on-site measurements. OFM thus continuoulsy and non-destructively provides highly informative data on tissue condition, metabolism and pharmacological substances and their effects.
OFM technology can be used in the skin or in any artificial tissue such as cartilage, bone and fatty tissue. AVIMAN can help to avoid animal testing in the future.
FOCUS ON HUMAN SKIN
Stem cells from skin, fat or the umbilical cord are used for the in-vitro cultivation of tissue to grow small pieces of tissue just a few centimetres in size. Artificially created skin tissue can be compared with explanted skin or in-vivo skin in humans or animals.
AVIMAN'S ADDED VALUE
AVIMAN offers a technology platform that can also be transferred to other in-vitro tissues to measure defined parameters. This allows processes for the cultivation of cells to be continuously improved. There is great potential for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry in the testing of active ingredients for drugs and care products. In the future, AVIMAN can also be used for the development of artificial skin, for example for transplantation after burn injuries.
Project team
