InSyBio is happy to announce a new scientific publication titled “Biomimetic characterization by micro-computed tomography (μCT) of 3D hollow fibre membrane network bioreactors for tissue engineering,” authored by Giuseppe Falvo D’Urso Labate, Chiara Morano, Thomas De Schryver, Harry Zaverdas, Luigi De Napoli, Gionata Fragomeni, Luc Van Hoorebeke, Patrick Segers, Mathieu Boone, Konstantinos Theofilatos, Joerg Christian Gerlach, and Gerardo Catapano.
The study investigates 3D hollow fibre membrane network bioreactors for tissue engineering, focusing on their potential to mimic key architectural features of bone tissue. Using non-invasive and non-destructive micro-computed tomography (μCT), combined with advanced image analysis, the authors characterized the pore and void distribution within the extracapillary space of BRx-HFMB bioreactors. The results suggest that the pore architecture and specific surface area of these bioreactors resemble important structural characteristics of bone tissue, supporting cell migration, adhesion, and culture at clinically relevant cell densities. The membrane network also enables medium perfusion and acts as a spatially distributed oxygen source, improving oxygen transport across the cell construct compared with static bioreactor systems.
InSyBio is especially pleased to have contributed to this scientific output through the participation of Harry Zaverdas and Konstantinos Theofilatos among the authors. The publication highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration across bioengineering, μCT imaging, image analysis, tissue engineering, and computational approaches for the development of advanced in vitro bone tissue models.
This work was developed within the framework of the OSTEONET project, funded by the European Community under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchange programme, grant agreement No. 101086329. OSTEONET aims to develop reliable and sustainable 3D in vitro models of healthy and aged bone tissue for preclinical drug screening, physiology studies, and research on bone ageing, mechanobiology, and drug response.
Link references
You can find the article here: https://doi.org/10.1039/D6BM00185H .
More information about the OSTEONET project can be found here: https://osteonethorizon.com/.