RegenTec offer service activities in the development and performance of bespoke in vitro assays based on a wide range of tissue types.

At present, most cell-based in vitro assays are simple systems containing either cell suspensions or monolayer cultures. Whilst current assays provide some useful information, often in vitro cellular function is very different to cells within native tissues. In fact, after isolation many cell types lose their function and die within a short time period, limiting their usefulness. This phenomenon is in part due to the simple nature of the culture systems not reflecting the environment of the cells in living tissues.

RegenTec’s expertise in encouraging cells to arrange into three dimensional tissues and structures allows us to provide and develop much more physiologically relevant models, which display improved life span and function and can be used as tests for:

• toxicity
• metabolism
• immunogenicity
• disease models
• potency

RegenTec work in partnership with leading industrial and academic associates to develop rapid, reliable and precise in vitro models.

Our experience in numerous different cell types has lead to the design of many diverse tissue models including liver, skin, bone and muscle/nerve. One example of our culture methods addresses the limitations of current products by combining different cells types found in the liver. When these cells are cultured together in a specific manner, they form three-dimensional liver-like structures termed ‘spheroids’, which retain metabolic function over extended time periods. These systems facilitate longer-term toxic/metabolic screening, the study of liver diseases and, due to improved structural and functional mimicry, provide generally more relevant data.

RegenTec offer an in vitro model and assay design service for a wide range of cell types to meet individual clients’ needs. Example activities include:

• Bespoke assay design
• Assay development
• Validation
• Routine testing