Mergers, Acquisitions, & Business Development
Bruker Makes a Major Investment in MIMETAS
Bruker, known for its MRI imaging technology and more recent expansion in proteomics, metabolomics, NMR, preclinical imaging and spatial biology, anounced a "majority" investment in MIMETAS in early August (Biospace article here). Mimetas's flagship product, the OrganoPlate® platform supports the growth of complex cell cultures with rocking media flow and is well suited for high-throughput. studies. Both companies will continue to operate under their original names. The investment amount has not been disclosed. The companies are anticipating opportunities for platform and market expansion.
Innovation, Research, & Development
Electrically Pulsed Neuromuscular Organoids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42325128/
Highlighting recent MPS news is a study out of Germany demonstrating that progenitor neuromuscular organoids mature more quickly when provided electrical pulse every other day for 30 minutes every other day for 30 days. The group showed by gene expression analysis, functional improvement, and morphological changes at the cellular level, that these organoids matured faster than their untreated counterparts. The pulsed organoids were also stiffer, a feature that muscles need to effectively contract.
Although the paper focused on model development, this approach could be valuable for further studies in neuromuscular diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Myasthenia Gravis, Muscular Dystrophies, and more.
Additionally, the results from this study build upon the phenomenon that exposure of in vitro systems to natural mechanical/physiological stimuli results in expression of cellular phenotypes that more closely resemble their in situ state. Similarly, in vitro grown lung cells take on a more natural phenotype when exposed to mechanical stretch that mimics breathing.
Pulmonary CAR-T Toxicity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41912308/
This study may not quite fit the criteria for an MPS, but describes the development of a human tissue slice approach for toxicity testing.
In this study, Machado et al. used human tissue slices ex vivo to investigate CAR-T response to on-target off tumor in the lung (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41912308/ ). Their test system involved CAR-T cells targeting HER2, EGFR, and MSLN which are expressed at low levels in the lung and have been shown to elicit CAR-T pulmonary toxicity clinically. CD-19 targeting CAR-T cells which do not elicit pulmonary toxicity clinically were used as a negative control.
When lung tissues were exposed to these CAR-T cells, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression were detected in a dose-dependent manner that coincided with concomitant receptor expression and clinical observations. Exposure to CD-19 CAR-T resulted in significantly less expression of these cytokines.
This study illustrates that tissue slices may have potential as another technique in the in vitro NAM tool box that can build confidence in test reagents prior to going in vivo. The error bars in these studies were quite large, and further studies will be needed to refine and determine the level of sensitivity of this approach.
(This study was brought to my attention from colleagues at HESI (https://hesiglobal.org/)
Organoids in Infectious Disease and Public Health Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42553490/
An astounding compilation of organoid platform contributions to studying threats from infectious agents.
The paper makes the argument that this technology will play a crucial role in pathogen profiling, threat prediction, and understanding zoonotic spillover. Interestingly, bat lung cultures are being used in the latter studies.
Excellent figures in the paper help to summarize key points.
A must read for anyone working in infectious diseases or public health
Hydrogels
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42545667/
Initially I thought this was going to be a very “dry” and slow to read review. I am so glad I took the time to read the MPS pertinent section of this very comprehensive review. The matrix components of any MPS/organoid system are so critical to the physiology and behavior of the cells it supports. The authors do a great job in describing the chemistry and modularity of hydrogels without getting too technical. The technology has impressively evolved to create numerous “flavors” of hydrogels that are fit for purpose.
The review covers applications for cell culture, drug-release, and tissue repair.
I found sections on chemistry, crosslinking, and cell culture really inciteful. This one is going in my reference library.
Incidentally, the Biovetality - Life Science & 3Rs Links page has a link to animal-free hydrogel resources for those further interested in the topic.
Upcoming Webinars
Microphysiological Systems / Organoids
Aug 20
AI-driven organoid screening for small molecule discovery
Learn how patient-derived tumor organoids, AI, and phenotypic screening are advancing the discovery of small molecule therapeutics.
- How patient-derived tumor organoids support phenotypic drug screening
- The use of high-content imaging and AI for phenotypic profiling
- Identifying small molecules with novel mechanisms of action
- Integrating organoids, AI, and de novo compound design to advance precision oncology research
Register here
Aug 26-27
Advances in immuno-oncology
This virtual two-day symposium will gather researchers to present the latest breakthroughs in cancer immunology.
- Tumor–immune interactions and the tumor microenvironment
- Emerging approaches in cancer immunotherapy and anti-tumor immunity
- Novel therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer and metastatic disease
- Advances in translational oncology and mechanisms of therapeutic response
Register here
Aug 27
Advancing Skin Research: A Scalable 3D Human Skin Organoid Model for Skin Barrier Function and Injury Screening
- Generating 3D human skin organoids using ZYRALIX™ technology
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Structural maturation and barrier-associated function in organoid models
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Assessing UV and chemical injury responses in 3D skin organoids
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How a 96-well format bridges conventional 2D culture and advanced skin models
Register here
Sept 9
3RsC Bone Marrow MPS Webinar
This webinar will consist of a series of short, 15-minute, data driven presentations overviewing each company's commercially available MPS platforms
Register here
Sept 10
Advancing Skin Research With Scalable 3D Human Skin Organoids
Explore how a scalable, primary cell-based 3D human skin organoid model supports studies of skin barrier biology, ultraviolet (UV) injury, and environmental stress responses in a physiologically relevant in vitro system.
Register here
Oct 20-21
Exploring Organoids for Disease Modeling Research
Register here
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