NanoKick

About

About Researchers at the University of Glasgow and the University of the West of Scotland have created a new mechanical bioreactor for the promotion of osteogenesis in stem cells, which is far more reliable and simpler to use than rotary, perfusion or other mechanical bioreactors. These other devices can be complicated, prone to infection and use non-standard consumables or autoclavable parts. NanoKick has been developed with these challenges in mind for easy integration into the standard lab environment. Through a unique collaboration between cell engineers and astrophysicists, the research team has developed a completely new mechanical bioreactor. The bioreactor uses precision engineering to deliver nanoscale mechanical cues to mesenchymal system or osteoblast cultures to promote bone formation. This platform has been designed to allow versatility with the ability to stimulate 12 samples concurrently and potential to expand this for applications requiring higher throughput. The bioreactor produces osteogenesis without use of growth media. This significantly reduces the cost of producing osteoblasts. NanoKick has been developed for easy integration into the standard lab environment and can be used for regenerative medicince development. Key Benefits: Easy to clean, requires no assembly and uses cell cultureware with standard configurations Far more reliable and simpler to use than rotary, perfusion or other mechanical bioreactors Uses consumables with standard configurations and virtually removes the costs and time associated with failed cultures Can be used within standard incubators and can be used in a laminar flow cabinet Very low maintenance needs – it only requires an annual calibration that can be simply performed on site. Device provides ‘clean’ osteogenesis in 2D and 3D and so will be useful in the study of drugs Applications: stem cell/osteoblast research - The bioreactor is useful to academics interested in studying bone differentiation in culture in 2D and 3D without having to use media additives. Pharma – the device provides ‘clean’ osteogenesis in 2D and 3D and so will be useful in the study of drugs for e.g. osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfect etc. IP Status: Contact is welcomed from organisations interested in developing, licensing or exploiting this IP with a view to commercialisation.