October 19, 2022

Multi-axis bioreactor: preclinical assessment of intervertebral disc tissues

Advanced bioreactors enable investigators to maintain viable tissue samples in closed systems under laboratory conditions. A multi-axis bioreactor has been designed for therapy testing to address the unmet need for the long-term culture of intervertebral discs under complex mechanical stimulation.

Close-up on the multi-axis bioreactor system
CSEM
A multiaxial bioreactor system for the culture of intervertebral disc tissues.
A multiaxial bioreactor system for the culture of intervertebral disc tissues. ©CSEM
A lab technician operates the benchtop multiaxial bioreactor system.
A lab technician operates the benchtop multiaxial bioreactor system. ©CSEM

Biomechanical setup for intervertebral disc tissue culture

In collaboration with AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) and the ETH Zurich, CSEM Tools for Life Sciences have developed a new six degrees of freedom bioreactor that can transmit motions to a tissue sample (an intervertebral disc) to reproduce human body conditions while maintaining the tissue under culture conditions. This is possible thanks to a newly developed sample holder, which can efficiently transmit the motion without damaging the intervertebral disc.

A holding system for multiaxial spin bioreactor
A holding system for multiaxial spin bioreactor.