Imaging of 3D Engineered Tissues
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The current proposal outlines research themes on tissue engineering at Sheffield University where a laser scanning confocal microscope with META multichannel confocal detection is requested (with the potential for multiphoton upgrade in the future). The model is for a confocal system to be located in the new interdisciplinary Kroto Research Institute at Sheffield University. This facility will have a suite of GMP accredited clean rooms to enable tissue engineered construct formation under sterile conditions for clinical use. Multidisciplinary research laboratories located immediately next to the clean rooms will support core research and further development of reconstructed tissues. Location of an on-site confocal microscope in the research laboratories will therefore enable the in-depth study of cells in synthetic scaffolds across a number of research programmes. Confocal microscopy is a leading-edge technology and a powerful research tool, enabling the capture of unrivalled high resolution of cells within 3 dimensional constructs as well as in-depth penetration of specimens tagged with very specific fluorophores. This leading edge technology is now becoming a method of choice for the dynamic imaging of cells, tissues and biological systems not otherwise possible by other optical systems. Such a technology is essential for driving the research of our team, understanding a range of interconnected problems spanning the life sciences-engineering interface. Each member of our team has programmes that rely heavily on the need for high resolution microscopy which presently is only partially met by existing fluorescence systems. META confocal technology advances the quality of imaging and flexibility of analysis by such a high degree over standard fluorescence that it is now the new benchmark from visualising cells in vitro or in 3 dimension structures in vivo. It therefore has wide applicability in biology, chemistry and engineering and this is represented by our team of applicants. A central imaging facility will also be essential for maintaining research of an internationally competitive standard and will act as a potent catalyst for attracting high quality collaborations with investigators in the UK and abroad.
Publications
Charnley M
(2006)
Evaluation of anti-inflammatory calixarene-peptides for biomaterial modification
in European Cells and Materials
Chunthapong J
(2008)
A 3D Skin tissue-engineered model for inflammatory and toxicity testing
in European Cells and Materials
Kaewkhaw R
(2011)
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) for peripheral nerve repair
in European Cells and Materials
Murray-Dunning C
(2008)
Peripheral nerve engineering using aligned polymer microfibres
in European Cells and Materials
Kaewkhaw R
(2011)
Adipose-derived stem cells for peripheral nerve repair
in European Cells and Materials
Zilic L
(2015)
An anatomical study of porcine peripheral nerve and its potential use in nerve tissue engineering.
in Journal of anatomy
Paviolo C
(2014)
Laser exposure of gold nanorods can induce intracellular calcium transients.
in Journal of biophotonics
Sun T
(2007)
Investigation of fibroblast and keratinocyte cell-scaffold interactions using a novel 3D cell culture system.
in Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine
Hopper AP
(2016)
Photochemically modified diamond-like carbon surfaces for neural interfaces.
in Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications
Murray-Dunning C
(2011)
Three-dimensional alignment of schwann cells using hydrolysable microfiber scaffolds: strategies for peripheral nerve repair.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Kaewkhaw R
(2012)
Integrated culture and purification of rat Schwann cells from freshly isolated adult tissue.
in Nature protocols
Eves PC
(2006)
alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone, inflammation and human melanoma.
in Peptides
Filová E
(2009)
Regionally-selective cell colonization of micropatterned surfaces prepared by plasma polymerization of acrylic acid and 1,7-octadiene.
in Physiological research
Morris HL
(2010)
Mechanisms of fluid-flow-induced matrix production in bone tissue engineering.
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of engineering in medicine
Botchway SW
(2008)
Time-resolved and two-photon emission imaging microscopy of live cells with inert platinum complexes.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Plenderleith RA
(2015)
Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid functional branched semi-interpenetrating hydrogels.
in Soft matter
Cantón I
(2007)
Real-time detection of stress in 3D tissue-engineered constructs using NF-kappaB activation in transiently transfected human dermal fibroblast cells.
in Tissue engineering
| Description | The grant allowed the purchase of a versatile imaging system for conducting work on 3D in vitro cells/tissues. The major outcome has been the discovery of several methods for imaging a breadth of cells and scaffolds in 3D as a alternative to using animals. |
| Exploitation Route | The grant has supported a tremendous breadth of outputs - not just those I am personally associated with (immediate outputs herein), but those of many other groups. These outputs have been documented on the webpage cited above and here - (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/kroto/confocal). These findings may be taken forward by devising new methods for further reducing animal research, new methods for SMEs to develop new implants, through to new bioreactors for such methods. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/kroto/confocal |
| Description | This was an equipment grant for imaging 3D engineered tissues. It has led to a breadth of research represented in several outputs. Parallel findings have arisen including: 1. Design of commercial bioreactors in collaboration with SMEs 2. Design of methods for orthopaedic implants in collaboration with SMEs using 3D in vitro methods. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic |