Cell-based sensory technology Made in Regensburg

Experimental trials on living cells play an essential role (so-called cell-based assays) in all fields of biomedical research. The cells isolated from organs and tissue in the body and cultivated in the laboratory today allow experiments on living model systems in high throughput screening and also thereby avoid increasing animal experimentation. The fields of application for cell-based assays range from fundamental biomedical questions on the development of active substances and toxicity testing through to personalized medicine.
 
The Fraunhofer EMFT is pursuing the concept of cultivating cells directly on the surfaces of sensors to make it possible to measure biological mechanisms of action in real-time. In doing so cellular reactions to chemicals, pharmaceuticals or microorganisms can be pursued whilst causing no damage and without using markers. The Fraunhofer EMFT offers the development of tailor-made assays in their services.
 
Since the beginning of 2017 Prof. Dr. Joachim Wegener has been leading the working group “cell-based sensory technology” in Regensburg, which is housed on the premises of the Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Chemical and Biosensory Technology. This is to utilize the synergies between leading academic research and application-oriented development in the model at the Fraunhofer Society. The Institute is in direct vicinity of the BioPark so that cooperation between the companies at the BioPark can profit from this short distance.
 
Meanwhile the working group has a broad portfolio of cell culture models in its program. These include cell lines from the skin, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, bowel and the blood vessels. These testing systems are available for conventional biochemical assays and physical cell analysis free of markers. They can be used to assess cell growth, cell migration (e.g. in wound healing), cell toxicity, cell communication, signal transduction or transport of substances through biological barriers.
(picture © Fraunhofer EMFT/Bernd Müller: Oscillating quartz for the testing of cell mechanics)

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