Microfluidic mechanical stimulation bioreactor

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Mechanical forces cause tissues and cells in the body to stretch as part of their normal function. In fact, some degree of mechanical stretch is required to maintain healthy tissues, while overstretching can cause damage or lead to disease. The effects of stretch on tissue and cell function, damage, and disease are often studied in laboratories by growing cells on deformable membranes in cell stretching systems. In partnership with CellScale Biomaterials Testing, a Canadian company that provides turn-key biomaterial test solutions to medical researchers and scientists, we will develop a microfluidic system that will allow researchers to study the response of cells to varying levels of stretching. The move towards the microscale will significantly improve experiment efficiencies and lower operational costs by minimizing reagent consumption. This research will help to understand the mechanisms of cell function in disease response and tissue regeneration. The resulting system will be marketed by CellScale to researchers in regenerative medicine, biomedical science, and medical devices in Canada and worldwide.