High-throughput tissue mechanics testing apparatus in an incubator environment: the prototype

本提案的主要目标是开发一种装置，用于与有可能改变组织机械表型的试剂，介质或细胞进行长期组织孵育，同时间歇性地测量这些组织的机械特性。我们之前与安大略省的Aurora Scientific合作开发了一个多单元和模块化的概念验证设备，我们的目标是利用我们在组织力学和组织培养研究方面的丰富经验，将其推进到一个功能齐全的原型。该装置将通过利用这两个领域的优势，弥合长期细胞培养和短期整个组织研究之间的现有差距：维持组织的表型，同时允许研究可能改变其机制的各种介质和药物的时间依赖性效应。针对收缩组织，但适用于任何软材料，该工具将具有基础和生物医学应用。目前的装置只能测量单个肌肉组织，花费很大，也很费力，而且不允许用药剂、药物和介质对组织进行原位孵育。我们提出的系统将高通量组织测量设备（4条）放置在定制的培养箱内。通过将所有控制和信号调节结合到一个设备中，同时对单个组织进行分时控制，我们大大降低了这个20多万美元系统的成本。整个系统将是完全自动化的，以允许在多天内进行高通量，高度可重复的测试。这项NSERC CRD提案将导致安大略省极光科学公司和麦吉尔大学合作开发一个功能原型。**这种独特的设备将推动基础组织研究和药物发现进入一个新时代，由于其高通量的优势。我们与一个坚定的加拿大工业伙伴的合作以及与加拿大肌肉力学实验室的联系将有助于加拿大在肌肉研究方面继续保持领导地位。最后，本提案将有助于HQP（硕士生和研究助理）的培训，使他们接触行业和不同的研究领域（组织和流体力学，系统控制等）。****

The main goal of this proposal is to develop a device to perform long term tissue incubation with agents, mediators or cells that have the potential to alter the mechanical phenotype of tissues, while intermittently measuring the mechanical properties of these tissues. We have previously developed a multi-unit and modular proof of concept device in collaboration with Ontario based Aurora Scientific, which we aim to advance to a fully functional prototype, using our extensive experience in tissue mechanics and tissue culture research. This device will bridge the existing gap between long term cell culture and short term whole tissue studies by taking the best of both fields: maintaining the phenotype of the tissue, while allowing studies on the time dependent effects of a wide range of mediators and drugs that might alter its mechanics. Targeted at contractile tissues but appropriate for any soft materials, this tool will have both fundamental and biomedical applications. Current setups measure only single muscle tissues at great expense and effort and do not allow for in-place incubation of the tissue with agents, drugs, and mediators. Our proposed system places high throughput tissue measurement equipment (4 strips) inside a custom-built incubator. We greatly reduce the cost of this otherwise $200k+ system by combining all control and signal conditioning into a single device while time-sharing control of individual tissues. The whole system will be fully automated to allow for high throughput, highly repeatable testing, over multiple days. This NSERC CRD proposal will result in the development of a functioning prototype in a collaboration between Ontario based Aurora Scientific and McGill University.**This unique device will push fundamental tissue research and drug discovery into a new era due to its high throughput advantage. Our collaboration with a committed Canadian industrial partner and connections with Canadian muscle mechanics laboratories will contribute to Canada's continued leadership in muscle research. Finally, this proposal will contribute to the training of HQP (Masters student and Research Associate) by exposing them to the industry and different research fields (tissue and fluid mechanics, systems control, etc.).****