The non-invasive monitoring of in vitro constructs in an environment that closely mimics in vivo conditions is one of the main challenges in regenerative medicine. In fact, the ability of to visualize cells in 2D and 3D engineered constructs can elucidate cell/biomaterial interactions without sample sacrifice. In addition, monitoring the microenvironment in terms of both biochemical (i.e. the distribution of the partial pressure of O2) and biophysical (i.e. scaffold stiffness or shear stress induced by flux) stimuli can be useful in the development of disease models.
In this context, we have integrated the transparent biomimetic bioreactor LiveBox1 with a confocal microscope. Time-lapse imaging is used to investigate how cells behave in response to changes in their microenvironment. Using different commercial stains, we can monitor a biological system in multiple dimensions, studying cell behavior as a function of its position within the scaffold, scaffold stiffness, time and shear stress.
In addition, we are able to extract quantitative morphometric data on the volumes acquired to monitor changes as a function of different physical, chemical or biochemical parameters. The image and data proceesing tools are open-source routines dedicated to mesh rendering and analysis.
Contact Info:
Chiara Magliaro, PhD Student chiara.magliaro@googlemail.com