MechAscan - A novel on line mechanical assessment tool for manufacturing engineered tissues in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.

Lead Research Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Department Name: MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

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Description The role of the mechanical environment in defining tissue function, development and growth has been shown to be fundamental. Assessment
of the changes in stiffness of tissue relies heavily on invasive equipment such as AFM or mechanical testing devices. Other challenges in using existing approaches is the requirement for dry analysis in some cases, size constraints of the sample that limit the ease of application or sterility for cell culture models. In this paper, we have developed a novel passive optical coherence elastography method, exploiting ambient vibrations in the sample, that decouples optical scattering and mechanical properties thus producing quantitative mechanical contrast maps. This method offers valuable extra information from optical coherence tomography commercial systems with no additional hardware or modification. We have validated and explored this approach with several exemplary applications. Using biological systems with varying matrix
properties, we show that this effective and 'simple to use' approach offers a breakthrough in tissue mechanical assessment for novel online assessment of spatial mechanical properties for organoids, soft tissues and tissue engineering.
Exploitation Route We have provided an enabling technology for monitoring the elastic modulus of biological samples with application in tissue engineering and regenerative.
A Prototype has been built and deomsntrated in 2 different lab environment (TRL3). We are now looking to advance the TRL further by exploring both academia and industry route.
the prototype at UoE has now been replicated for Birmingham and they will be both accessible through collaborations.
Sectors Healthcare
 
Description Analysis of biomechanical forces in the embryonic development of haematopoietic stem cells
Amount £722,655 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/W003236/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2022 
End 03/2025
 
Description MRC confidence in concept (MRC/CIC8/75): In-situ microscale measurement of lung matrix stiffness to accelerate pharmaceutical development of antifibrotics
Amount £121,867 (GBP)
Funding ID MRC/CIC8/75 
Organisation Medical Research Council (MRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2021 
End 12/2021
 
Title Optical elastograpy device 
Description An optical imaging prototype to measure the elastic properties of cells and tissues has been developed during the award and is accessible at the centre for regenerative medicine. This is curretnly sued by PhD students in the centre. 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This new tool has lead to the generation of pilot data iht collaborators leading to awarded grant as decribed in further funding and submitted grant. Currently, the device is free to access in the centre for biologist that want to measure the mechanical properties of cells and gels. For example we are currently investigating the mechanical peperties of oocytes as an assays fo in vitro fertility, and the mechanical poperties of tissue engineering cancer models.