Intelligent Device and Computational Software to Control Mechanical Stress and Deformation for Biological Testing

Introduction

In nature, all biological material from the cell to the tissue level is subjected to continuous mechanical stress and strain. These mechanical cues play an essential role in several biological processes and can determine the fate of a healing or a cancerous process, among many others.

Need for a Robust Test Platform

Therefore, research activities focusing on studying the deterministic nature of these processes need a robust test platform that allows for reproducing these mechanically-varying environments. Such a system would significantly contribute to improving in-vitro testing of therapies and drug discovery, incorporating the essential influence of mechanics in pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies.

Limitations of Current Approaches

However, the current approaches are restricted to basic science methods with important limitations. This lack of a suitable system hinders the translation of basic science in mechanobiology to its application in the industrial-technological field.

Proposed Solution: ISBIOMECH

ISBIOMECH proposes a novel intelligent system to control the mechanical environment of cellular/tissue materials, to be commercially exploited as laboratory equipment for mechanobiology research and pathological treatment testing.

Features of the Novel Device

The novel device and associated software will provide the first commercially available system to allow for robust and reproducible in-vitro testing of mechanically-influenced biological processes. More concretely, the system will use magneto-responsive substrates allowing for non-invasive, multidimensional, and real-time control of complex deformation modes on cellular/tissue materials.

Implementation and Validation

This technology will be implemented and validated by demonstration activities at stakeholders' labs to address timely mechanobiological studies in:

1. Epithelial wound healing
2. Neurological disorders
3. Cardiac pathology

Potential Impact

The proposed system has the potential to open the experimental path to improve current treatments in, e.g., cancer pathologies, pathological skin scarring, or fibrotic heart remodeling during myocardial infarction.