Scalable Pump-less organ-on-a-chip platform with directed flow

 

Business opportunity

Scientists at the University of Oslo (Norway) have developed an innovative, scalable directional pump-less perfusion (dPP) organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platform that can transport cell culture media, circulating cells, bacteria and nanoparticles in a closed microfluidic circuit to interconnect different organ models.

Inven2 AS seeks investor/partners for establishing of a start-up or out-licensing of the IP.

 

Technology description

The group has developed a scalable, pump-less OoC device that generates a unidirectional, gravity-driven flow. Flow rate and oxygen levels for a venous and an arterial channel can be tuned “on-chip”. This platform allows vascularization of 3D organ models and possibly self-organisation in the future. The scientific group has established lab-scale fabrication, has shown proof-of-concept for several biological applications and advantages of the platform compared to state of the art.

 

Advantages

  • User friendly
  • Directional adjustable flow
  • Air bubble proof
  • Reproducibility
  • No pumps or tubes needed
  • Compatible with automatized liquid handling and imaging instruments
  • Adjustable volume geometry
  • High scalability
  • Microscopy grade optical quality
  • Multiple possible layouts with few technical constrains.
  • Immune-enabled
  • PDMS-free (no drugs absorption)

The dPP platform together with the scientist’s profound knowledge in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology can be a game changer in the OoC field as it allows different studies from disease modelling to patient-specific drug testing.

 

PUBLICATIONS

The publication describing the platform https://doi.org/10.1039/D2LC00919F

 

IPR  

The patent application for chip layout and functionality is filed in national phase.

CONTACT

Aina Haugen Rengmark, Ph.D.

Aina Haugen Rengmark, Ph.D.

Technology Strategy Manager

Innovation

+47 90 12 63 44

aina.rengmark@inven2.com