What do we do in TMElab? We also work in In Vitro Skin Models
The TME Lab from the Aragón Engineering Research Institute (I3A) of the University of Zaragoza in collaboration with BEOnChip company participates in the European Moore4Medical project (Accelerating Innovation in Microfabricated Medical Devices), within a consortium with 66 selected companies, universities and institutes from 12 countries. In Moore Medical, a well-balanced consortium comprises the necessary capabilities to realize different technology platforms, based in the implementation of three major technological building blocks or capabilities: micropumps, MEMS ultra-sound and data security and privacy. Moore4Medical ambitiously sets out to develop open and enabling technology platforms for several emerging medical domains, such as implantable devices, organ-on-chip or next generation ultrasound, among others. The applicability and efficient use of those platforms is established by a number of first product prototypes or innovative demonstrators that address a direct societal and economical need.
TME lab is working in the development of a new skin on chip model during the three year project. In vitro models to mimic skin barrier function for the assessment of percutaneous permeation of drugs are still a major challenge in clinical practice. Despite a large number of different in vivo and in vitro models used in the past, there are still some unsolved questions to be addressed. Discrepancies between methods and protocols prevent standardization and the results comparison among researchers. Development of standardized and reproducible tests is an increasing demand of the industry and the regulatory authorities. Moreover, those new methods should accurately mimic the physiological in vivo response. Microfluidics, and more specifically, Organ on chip technology is capable to provide the technological tools to allow the development of novel in vitro methods for skin drug permeation covering those previously unmet needs. This novel technology is able, not only to reproduce the histological distribution of different cells and extracellular matrix components, but also to do it compatible with high throughput screening systems). In Moore 4 Medical, TME lab will participate in the development of a perfused multiwell microfluidic chip capable to resemble the skin layers and also the blood vessels drug clearance.
For more information, check the project website: https://moore4medical.eu/
Participants of the M4M Kick-off Meeting
