New generation of bioreactors that advance extracellular matrix modelling and tissue engineering

Abstract

Bioreactors hold a lot of promise for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. They have multiple uses including cell cultivation for therapeutic production and for in vitro organ modelling to provide a more physiologically relevant environment for cultures compared to conventional static conditions. Bioreactors are often used in combination with scaffolds as the nutrient flow can enhance oxygen and diffusion throughout the 3D constructs to prevent the formation of necrotic cores. A variety of scaffolds have been fabricated to achieve a structural architecture that mimic native extracellular matrix. Future developments of in vitro models will incorporate the ability to non-invasively monitor the cellular microenvironment to enhance the understanding of in vitro conditions. This review details current advancements in bioreactor and scaffold systems and provides insight on how in vitro models can be augmented for future biomedical applications.

Tissue-Engineered Grafts from Human Decellularized Extracellular Matrices: A Systematic Review and Future Perspectives

“…Future developments of in vitro recellularization models may be achieved by the use of innovative and dedicated bioreactors to better recreate the physiological microenvironment for cultures in comparison to conventional static conditions [363]. Dynamic cell culture on support matrices assures for a constant flow of fresh nutrients and respiratory gases which enhances cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation, resulting in the development of a more uniform and functional tissue.…”

The ins and outs of engineering functional tissues and organs: evaluating the in-vitro and in-situ processes

“…Urged by the obvious role of the biophysical and biomechanical interactions between cells and the cellular environment in tissue formation and function, there has been a growing need for experimental platforms that allow one to subject cells and tissue constructs to a variety of biomimetic physical and mechanical cues in a controllable manner – ‘bioreactors’ [66,67 ▪ ]. By providing culture conditions that closely recapitulate the environmental conditions of the native/desired tissues (Fig.…”

Augmenting Automated Analytics Using Fluorescent Nanosensors

“…Cell production is typically conducted using bioreactors [69], which are vessels that permit cell expansion by providing the essential culture conditions (e.g., temperature, aerobic/aerobic & pH), nutrients (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) and growth factors (e.g., cytokines) [70]. Monitoring of cell culture environments in bioreactors can occur via direct or indirect measurements, as well as offline, online and inline observations [71].…”