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A Bioreactor for Controlled Electrical and Mechanical Stimulation of Developing Scaffold-Free Constructs
Sarah K Van Houten1, Michael T K Bramson1, David T Corr1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180.
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|March 4, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a new bioreactor for applying precise mechanical and electrical stimulation to developing tissue constructs. This system enables studying early-stage tissue development with controlled, combined stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
- Biophysics
Background:
- Bioreactors are crucial for applying biophysical stimuli to tissue-engineered constructs.
- Current bioreactors often apply stimulation after construct development, limiting early-stage research.
- A need exists for bioreactors capable of stimulating constructs during their development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and calibrate a novel bioreactor system.
- To enable precise, independent, or combined mechanical and electrical stimulation of developing tissue constructs.
- To facilitate the study of early-stage tissue development under biophysical stimuli.
Main Methods:
- A modified Flexcell system was adapted to create the bioreactor.
- Linear calibration curves were established for precise stimulation control.
- Physiologically relevant mechanical strains (0.5-1.5%) and electrical voltages (1.5-3.5V) were applied.
Main Results:
- The calibrated bioreactor delivered precise mechanical and electrical stimulations accurately.
- Stimulations were consistent whether applied independently or in combination.
- Concurrent stimulation showed negligible changes in mechanical (<2%) and electrical (<1%) values.
Conclusions:
- The developed bioreactor allows for precise, controlled, and reproducible mechanical and electrical stimulation.
- This system can be applied to scaffold-free tissue constructs during development.
- Enables novel research into the influence of combined stimuli on early tissue formation.
