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A cost-effective bioreactor to advance functional tissue engineering of cartilage

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R41AR059433-01
Agency Tracking Number: R41AR059433
Amount: $100,175.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIAMS
Solicitation Number: PHS2010-2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
501 N GRAHAM, SUITE 250
PORTLAND, OR 97227-1651
United States
DUNS: 831184044
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 TREVOR LUJAN
 (503) 413-5487
 TLUJAN@BIOMECHRESEARCH.ORG
Business Contact
 TREVOR LUJAN
Phone: (503) 413-2150
Email: tlujan@biomechresearch.org
Research Institution
 Legacy Clinical Research/Technology Ctr
 
1225 Ne 2nd Ave
PORTLAND, OR 97232-2003
United States

 () -
 Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of chronic disability in the United States. A clinical goal in the treatment and prevention of OA is to develop replacement cartilage using tissue engineering (TE) technologies. Although TE cartilage presently lacks the mechanical stability of native cartilage, studies have demonstrated that mechanical stability can be enhanced with specific chemical and mechanical stimuli. To speed the discovery of optimal stimulation protocols, research platforms need to be available that enable fast, clear and reliable communication of functional outcomes (i.e material properties). Towards this goal, we introduce a six-chamber bioreactor that combines the efficiency of batch testing with the accuracy normally reserved for dedicated single-specimen material test systems. This system is therefore capable of mapping functional development of six individual specimens exposed to highly-specific mechanical stimulation protocols. To remain cost-effective and portable, the bioreactor leverages system redundancies to eliminate hardware. The specific aim of this study is to test the bioreactor's capacity to deliver accurate mechanical stimulations and material property evaluations in all six test chambers. The effect of loading conditions and specimen geometry on accurate mechanical stimulation will be quantified using external sensors. The viscoelastic material properties of soft TE scaffolds and stiff cartilage plugs will be characterized in both the six-chamber bioreactor and a conventional single-stage testing device. Results between the bioreactor and the model testing system will be statistically compared. If validation of the bioreactor is successful, we envision this product will provide an economical and reliable research platform that fosters TE technology transfer. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Tissue engineering of articular cartilage presents a promising strategy for treatment of osteoarthritis, a debilitating and prevalent disease. Cartilage engineering techniques, however, are currently unable to reproduce the mechanical properties critical to native cartilage, thus impeding the transfer of TE technology to patient care. A bioreactor is therefore proposed to facilitate the rapid discovery of mechanical conditions that promote the synthesis of mechanically viable tissue.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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