Consortium wins TSB funding for automated tissue production

Collaboration

The Automation Partnership (TAP), a specialist in the design and development of automated systems for life science applications, is to collaborate with academic partners on the RAFT (Rapid Automated Fabrication of Tissues) project to develop and commercialise technology for rapid production of 3D tissues. The three-year project is part-funded by the Technology Strategy Board.

RAFT aims initially to manufacture 3-dimensional human corneal tissue using corneal stem cells, to determine if this is a viable method of producing a range of different tissue types. Scientists at University College London (UCL) will work on demonstrating pre-clinical proof of concept of the efficacy of these tissues for corneal regeneration.

Complex 3D tissues can be produced in less than one hour by mixing cells with collagen, casting the gel into a mould then compressing it to give a sheet with properties very like natural tissue. The 3D structure provides cells with a more natural microenvironment. Multiple layers with different cell types can be made with surface features that mimic the stem cell niche and support cell growth and differentiation.

Since production of the tissues will be automated, it will be possible to control the size, shape, thickness and cell density, and complex features such as capillary-like channels can be engineered into the tissues. This technology allows high quality and consistent manufacturing of tissues for therapeutic use, such as replacement skin, and for use in drug discovery applications, including toxicity testing.

Rosemary Drake, Chief Scientific Officer at TAP said, “We have licensed the use of this technology from UCL because we are confident it could be used to produce a number of different 3D tissue types.”

TAP is now seeking additional partners from pharmaceutical or cell culture companies with which it can develop cell culture, drug discovery and therapeutic applications, where more authentic tissues are required.