Strathclyde: Bioreactor for production of engineered tissue

Licensing opportunity

Scientists at Strathclyde University have developed a second generation Rotating Wall Vessel bioreactor that reproduces the loading conditions to which bone and cartilage cells are subjected during normal everyday physical activities differs, resulting in marked improvements in tissue structure and function. They say this could form the basis of a continuous automated process for producing tissue, from initial seeding through to final product.

Reasearchers claim that the bioreactor allows one or more patient specific constructs to be cultured under dynamic loading conditions that mimic the physiological synovial environment, with improved structural/biochemical properties, via increased cell viability, collagen and glycosaminoglycan production, owing to enhanced mass transport of culture medium through the construct. The bioreactor is also said to facilitate monitoring of the metabolic status and permeability of the constructs by means of appropriate transducers, instrumentation and so on.

Contact is welcomed from organisations interested in developing, licensing or exploiting this technology. Strathclyde University holds patents for this technology.

For more information, visit the project’s page at http://www.university-technology.com/details/bioreactor-for-production-of-engineered-tissue