Lorne 2009: Shedding light on tissue engineering

Matrix engineering

The only problem being encountered so far with the cell/matrix mixtures is that with such a high concentration of proteins cross-linking so quickly, the cells are having trouble moving around.

This sort of defeats the whole idea if the new cells can’t migrate their way out of the matrix and start to regrow tissue or fix the damage.

“To address this, we are finding ways to engineer the scaffold such as by introducing holes or pores into the structure,” Werkmeister says.

“We can do this by various means, but the best way seems to be by simply adding catalase and peroxide, which react to produce oxygen and thus produce bubbles in the matrix. We can then regulate the size and shape of these bubbles to make channels and pores – it is remarkably simple.”

In practical terms, the scaffolding material may be applied in various ways. Generally, the material has been tested by syringe application, but pre-formed matrices are also being looked at.

In this way the scaffold is moulded and set into different shapes in vitro, rather than doing so in situ, making the application possibilities in tissue engineering almost endless.

“Using the photoactivated procedure, soluble proteins could be moulded, cast or extruded into various shapes including sheets, tubes, rings, spheres, rods and fibres. And of course, nothing sets until you shine the light.”

Werkmeister admitted that the competition for such products is fierce – a lot of scaffolds are on the market already and some companies have started producing cell-based therapies as well.

“What we are hoping is that this technology provides that quantum leap you need to get over all these other products out there. It is extremely user-friendly, simple, cheap and instant – shine a bit of light on it and it will actually set in place where you want it to.”

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