< Back to previous page

Project

NanoCT and bioreactor CT for a better understanding of the dynamics of 3D tissue formation in regenerative medicine

As cell clusters, tissues and organs are 3D structures with a complex spatial heterogeneity, traditional 2D imaging techniques such as histology are insufficient to investigate the dynamics of tissue remodeling taking place during development, pathology, regeneration and repair. To provide more accurate and spatiotemporal quantitative 3D information on these dynamic biological processes, the consortium will purchase a nanofocus X-ray computed tomography (NanoCT) system and a customized microCT device that will be built around a perfusion bioreactor system (BioreactorCT). For the first, we aim to further develop, optimize and validate contrast-enhanced nanoCT (CE-nanoCT) as virtual quantitative 3D histology tool for multi-tissue samples and for cell tracking. We hereby transform nanoCT from a pure morphological imaging technique to a functional, quantitative, multi-tissue 3D measuring technique. The second goal is to optimize and validate the BioreactorCT to image, in real-time when combined with contrast agents and/or cell labels, bioreactor-driven 3D tissue formation and/or in vitro behavior of organized cell clusters, allowing to link ex vivo information to the in vitro behavior.

Date:10 Sep 2014 →  9 Mar 2019
Keywords:organs, NanoCT, bioreactor CT, regenerative medicine, clustered cells, multi-tissue system
Disciplines:Laboratory medicine, Palliative care and end-of-life care, Regenerative medicine, Other basic sciences, Other health sciences, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Other translational sciences, Other medical and health sciences