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Partner news

Prof. Dr Bernd Giebel presents at Circulating Biomarkers Europe meeting, Rotterdam

On March 1st and 2nd 2022, Professor Dr Bernd Giebel of the University Medicine Essen presented current research in a talk titled “Clinical Potential of MSC-EVs and Translational Challenges” at the Circulating Biomarkers, Exosomes and Liquid Biopsy Europe meeting held in Rotterdam. In his talk, Prof. Giebel acknowledged his role in the AutoCRAT project.

Prof. Dr Bernd Giebel presents at Circulating Biomarkers Europe meeting, Rotterdam2022-05-23T12:36:49+00:00

An osteochondral study in the lab at the University of Gothenburg

A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Kristina Vukusic, Josefine Ekholm and orthopaedic surgeon Sebastian Concaro, recently performed an osteochondral study to test whether chondrocytes differentiated from iPS cells can repair cartilage. Kristina kindly provided a short description and photographs of their process.

  1. Osteochondral plugs are cut out of human cartilage harvested from surgical waste at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
  2. A wound is created in each plug
  3. Cells are injected into the wound: iCHO (IPS cells differentiated into chondrocytes) and control cells  (human chondrocytes from patients)
  4. The wound and cells are sealed with fibrin glue to keep the cells in place.
  5. Plugs incubated

 

An osteochondral study in the lab at the University of Gothenburg2022-04-27T11:15:40+00:00

AutoCRAT partners at LUMC have been awarded funding for two AutoCRAT-related research projects

Springing from their work in AutoCRAT, The Leiden University Medical Center is involved in two new, related NWA-ORC funded projects. The 2022 NWA-ORC science-encompassing funding round is aimed at making interdisciplinary research and innovation possible, so that scientific and societal breakthroughs come within reach.

LUMC is a partner in the LS-NeoCarE consortium that aims to develop regenerative treatment methods for osteoarthritis. LS-NeoCarE wants to improve the lives of people with osteoarthritis by developing durable regenerative cartilage implants. These living implants are based on revolutionary stem cell, bioreactor, and 3D-printing technologies. Through the active involvement of researchers, industry, doctors, and patient organizations, the project creates support among both patients and doctors for applicability and with industry for marketing the developed implants. The project is funded by an NWA-ORC grant of 3.2 million Euros.

Secondly, the LUMC is a partner in the LoaD project that seeks answers to the question: What is ‘healthy load’ for people with osteoarthritis?” This research focuses on investigating what a healthy exercise load is for osteoarthritis patients so that they can receive tailor-made support. This project is also funded by an NWA-ORC grant.

AutoCRAT partners at LUMC have been awarded funding for two AutoCRAT-related research projects2022-05-03T10:16:19+00:00

LUMC showcases AutoCRAT and osteoarthritis research at OARSI 2022 meeting in Berlin

At the (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) OARSI 2022 World Congress in Berlin, Professor Ingrid Meulenbelt of the LUMC  was the invited keynote speaker. Her talk was titled Mechanobiology and OA: Elucidating Mechano-Pathology of Osteoarthritis. The meeting was held from April 7th to April 10th.

Also, while there, Niek Bloks presented COL6A3 mutation causing aberrant collagen VI function has interacting effect with mechanical loading. This body of work is the result of a close collaboration (NIH project) with Farshid Guilak and Zainab Harissa from Washington University in St. Louis, USA. Marcella van Hoolwerff presented work entitled Identification and functional characterization imbalanced OA associated fibronectin1 splice variants. Congratulations to Niek and Marcella who were awarded for their highest-rated abstracts at OARSI 2022 in Berlin. See the photo below.

In addition, LUMC’s Nicoline Korthagen, Ilja Boone, and Yolande F.M. Ramos presented a poster entitled Towards application of cell therapy using hiPSC-derived MSCs as a stable ‘off-the-shelf’ cell source acknowledging AutoCRAT’s Horizon 2020 funding.

Well done to all!

LUMC showcases AutoCRAT and osteoarthritis research at OARSI 2022 meeting in Berlin2022-04-14T16:40:03+00:00

AutoCRAT presented by Fraunhofer IPT at Stem Cell Network NRW 2022 meeting

Ferdinand Biermann

Ferdinand Biermann

The Stem Cell Network NRW 13th internal Meeting will take place on May 6th and 7th this year at the Akademie-Mont-Cenis in Herne. At the meeting, Fraunhofer IPT’s Ferdinand Biermann will present the AutoCRAT Project concept. His talk on Saturday, May 7th, at 9:30 am (German time) is entitled: Fully automated production of mesenchymal stem cells, chondrocytes and extracellular vesicles for osteoarthritis treatment. 

This 2022 meeting aims to showcase the breadth of stem cell research taking place in North Rhine-Westphalia, stimulate exchange among researchers and, above all, will integrate research groups that recently joined the Network.

The Stem Cell Network North Rhine-Westphalia has existed since 2002 and is comprised not only of biomedical institutes and clinics but also ethical, legal, and social science institutions. This composition reflects the transdisciplinary approach of the network: In addition to promoting biomedical stem cell research in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), ethical, legal, and social science studies are intended to ensure a responsible approach to the topic, especially in view of the high expectations placed on this research area in the future. A total of almost 80 institutions in NRW form the network, at 23 different institutions.

AutoCRAT presented by Fraunhofer IPT at Stem Cell Network NRW 2022 meeting2022-05-03T08:05:43+00:00

Prof. Dr Giebel presents EV research in Rotterdam

University Medicine Essen‘s Prof. Dr Bernd Giebel facilitated a talk entitled ‘Clinical Potential of MSC-EVs and Translational Challenges’ at the SelectBIO meeting in Rotterdam. This exposition, Circulating Biomarkers, Exosomes and Liquid Biopsy Europe 2022 was held March 1st and 2nd. The annual conference brought together academics and industry participants from around the world focused on research, biomarker analyses and therapeutics development leveraging the cargo from Exosomes and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs).
An important component of this conference was to focus upon the development of Liquid Biopsies utilizing circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and other biomarkers found in biofluids.

Prof. Dr Giebel presents EV research in Rotterdam2022-03-07T15:05:38+00:00

Welcome to the AutoCRAT team, Iris Boot, Panaxea

Iris Boot

We extend a warm welcome to the AutoCRAT Project, Iris Boot!

Iris recently started as a researcher at Panaxea B.V.  She studied Psychology at the University of Leiden. During this time, she developed an interest in the research field of health sciences, which led to the Research Master in Health Sciences at Maastricht University. As part of the master’s degree, she did an internship at the Nutrition Biomed Research Institute in Australia.

After her studies, Iris started working as a Data Analyst at a transport company. Here, she further developed her analytical skills and gained experience in project management, but she missed the connection with healthcare. This made Panaxea a logical next step in her career. As a junior HTA researcher/consultant at Panaxea, she can apply the knowledge gained from her master’s and contribute to informed decision-making in healthcare. In addition to her work at Panaxea, Iris is a PhD candidate at Maastricht University. Her research focuses on the relationship between diet and the risk of developing bladder cancer.

Welcome to the AutoCRAT team, Iris Boot, Panaxea2022-02-24T09:29:26+00:00

UNIGE announces third AutoCRAT-acknowledged publication!

The team of researchers Cansu Gorgun, Maria Elisabetta Federica Palamà, Daniele Reverberi, Maria Cristina Gagliani, Katia Cortese, Roberta Tasso, and Chiara Gentili of the University of Genoa announced their AutoCRAT-acknowledged paper was published on September 4th, 2021. The open-access study entitled ‘Role of extracellular vesicles from adipose tissue- and bone marrow-mesenchymal stromal cells in endothelial proliferation and chondrogenesis’ appears in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine. DOI: 10.1002/sctm.21-0107 Download the PDF here.

Congratulations to the whole team!

UNIGE announces third AutoCRAT-acknowledged publication!2021-09-06T07:30:10+00:00

University Medicine Essen partners co-author AutoCRAT publication

Congratulations are in order! Authors Simon Staubach, Fabiola Nardi Bauer, Tobias Tertel, Verena Börger, Oumaima Stambouli, Denise Salzig, and Bernd Giebel published: Scaled preparation of extracellular vesicles from conditioned media in Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Volume 177, October 2021, 113940.  

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) especially of mesenchymal stem/stomal cells (MSCs) are increasingly considered as biotherapeutic agents for a variety of different diseases. For translating them effectively into the clinics, scalable production processes fulfilling good manufacturing practice (GMP) are needed. Like for other biotherapeutic agents, the manufacturing of EV products can be subdivided in the upstream and downstream processing and the subsequent quality control, each of them containing several unit operations. During upstream processing (USP), cells are isolated, stored (cell banking) and expanded; furthermore, EV-containing conditioned media are produced. During downstream processing (DSP), conditioned media (CM) are processed to obtain concentrated and purified EV products. CM are either stored until DSP or are directly processed. As first unit operation in DSP, clarification removes remaining cells, debris and other larger impurities. The key operations of each EV DSP is volume-reduction combined with purification of the concentrated EVs. Most of the EV preparation methods used in conventional research labs including differential centrifugation procedures are limited in their scalability. Consequently, it is a major challenge in the therapeutic EV field to identify appropriate EV concentration and purification methods allowing scale up. As EVs share several features with enveloped viruses, that are used for more than two decades in the clinics now, several principles can be adopted to EV manufacturing. Here, we introduce and discuss volume reducing and purification methods frequently used for viruses and analyze their value for the manufacturing of EV-based therapeutics.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2021.113940 Download the PDF here.

University Medicine Essen partners co-author AutoCRAT publication2021-08-30T12:21:06+00:00

Introducing Jason Hunt, PhD candidate at NUI Galway

Jason Hunt

My name is Jason Hunt and I am originally from Clonakilty, Co. Cork. I have always been interested in bioprocessing and have a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. I am currently undergoing an MSc in Cell Manufacturing and Therapy at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG). I started the course last September and have been doing it from home since lockdown. I enjoyed learning about the various cell therapies currently in development, including a lot of the work being carried out at the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMDI) based in NUI Galway. One of the talks I was most interested in was automated platforms for cell manufacturing given by Prof. Murphy where I first stumbled across AutoCRAT. I was really interested in the project and was immediately drawn to the work that was being carried out. A little while later, a PhD opportunity became available in Prof. Murphy’s lab working on this project which I quickly applied for. I have recently joined the AutoCRAT as part of placement for my course and plan to continue working on this project as PhD student once the summer ends.

Currently, my work involves monitoring the differentiation of iPSCs into iMSCs using PCR. The ultimate goal of this project is to characterize the differentiation process which will then be used to develop an in-line qPCR assay. This will allow us to monitor the differentiation process from iPSCs to iMSCs within the automated platform which will help to ensure the production of a consistent product while also ensuring any mistakes in the process are detected early. Fortunately, my time in the lab has not been too limited. I have always been able to use the lab when needed. Although my interactions with other members of REMEDI have been limited due to Covid restrictions, I am sure I will be able to become more acquainted with my fellow colleagues once lockdown restrictions ease.

Aside from college, the rest of my time is largely taken up by staying active in the gym. While this has primarily been replaced with walking since the lockdown began. However, I hope to get back into being more active as the restrictions ease and the gyms reopen.

Introducing Jason Hunt, PhD candidate at NUI Galway2021-06-17T15:07:14+00:00

Congratulations to Prof. Frank Barry for election to the Royal Irish Academy!

Prof. Frank BarryNUI Galway academic Professor Frank Barry has been elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (https://www.ria.ie/about) for his exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service. The NUI Galway academic was among 27 new members admitted to the academy by Dr Mary Canning, President of the Academy, in a virtual ceremony on May 21st, 2021. 

Frank Barry is a Professor of Cellular Therapy at the Regenerative Medicine Institute in NUI Galway and Visiting Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute in Toronto. His research interests include stem cell biology and the development of cell-based repair strategies for osteoarthritis. In a career that has spanned both industry and academic research, he has contributed to the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine by developing innovative and successful cellular therapies for tissue repair, joint injury and arthritic disease. He has published widely in the areas of mesenchymal stromal cell biology, cartilage repair and cellular therapy, and has been the recipient of the Marshall Urist Award for excellence in tissue regeneration research from the Orthopaedic Research Society.

Welcoming the newly admitted members, Dr Mary Canning, President of the Royal Irish Academy, said: ‘These 27 new members are recognised for their scholarly achievements, typically reflecting many years of research, or for significant contributions to Irish society. They bring international academic distinction to our country and we should be immensely proud of these remarkable women and men. As Members of the Academy, they will strengthen our capacity to provide expert advice on Higher Education and Research policy.”

Election to membership of the Royal Irish Academy is the highest academic distinction in Ireland. The Academy has been honouring Ireland’s leading contributors to the world of learning since its establishment in 1785 and currently have 637 members.

Congratulations to Prof. Frank Barry for election to the Royal Irish Academy!2021-07-12T13:46:57+00:00

Ferdinand Biermann, Fraunhofer IPT will present AutoCRAT at the ISSCR meeting

Ferdinand Biermann

Ferdinand Biermann

For the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) virtual meeting, June  21-26, 2021, AutoCRAT partners at Fraunhofer IPT were invited by Eppendorf AP (https://www.eppendorf.com/worldwide/) to deliver a talk as part of their June 21st afternoon focus session, ‘Improving Reproducibility and Scaling-Up of Stem Cell Cultures.’

Speaking at this high-profile event, Ferdinand Biermann, Fraunhofer IPT will describe the AutoCRAT platform, the bioreactor layout and our planned integration of the Eppendorf reactor.

Download the June 21, 2021 event programme here.

Ferdinand Biermann, Fraunhofer IPT will present AutoCRAT at the ISSCR meeting2021-06-03T06:34:09+00:00

Welcome to the AutoCRAT team, Dale Creaven, PhD candidate at NUI Galway

Danielle Nicholson of Pintail Limited caught up with Dale Creaven, an AutoCRAT PhD student at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway). Dale took some time to tell us a bit about himself and his work. Dale works under the supervision of AutoCRAT Coordinator Professor Mary Murphy.

Dale Creaven

Galway born and bred

I started in NUI Galway in 2015 in their Access course and completed a Diploma in foundation studies receiving the highest grades possible. “NUI Galway’s Access Programmes provide an opportunity for students who are generally under-represented at third level to progress to University.”  So, with this Diploma and my grades, I was offered a place in the prestigious Bachelor of Science Biomedical Science, with my area of focus being Anatomy in Galway. After completing my undergraduate degree, I progressed to a Masters of Science in Regenerative Medicine in NUI Galway; this is where I met Prof Mary Murphy, AutoCRAT Coordinator.

I am from Galway. There isn’t much more to say about that; I have lived in Galway my whole life, and luckily NUI Galway focuses on Biosciences, an area I always knew I wanted to study. I therefore stayed and attended college here in Galway.

My PhD project 

The title of my PhD project is Generation and characterization of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs); cell and secretome analysis. This project aims to compare iMSCs differentiated from iPSCs with particular emphasis on the secretome by various methods, like surface markers and gene expression. The main aim is to examine the secretome signature of iMSCs and identify its association with cell function. I will be performing PCR for molecular and genetic analyses, and flow cytometry to examine the surface markers of iMSCs. Also, I will work with cell culture to grow the iPSC and the iMSCs.

Impact of COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted my undergraduate degree, masters research, and I am sure, it will affect my work with the AutoCRAT team, particularly with access to lab time and space. COVID-19 has reduced the number of people who can access a building at any time, including my access. Busy days in the lab will result from a reduction of lab time.

Dissemination plans

I have yet to present any aspect of this project. However, I am looking forward to it when I get the chance. I hope to publish in relevant scientific journals with high impact factors. I also hope to use social media as a platform to disseminate my work. Being one of the first generations to grow up with social media, I hope to use that to spread any good news.

Who doesn’t want to give a TED talk at some point in their lives? However, I hope to give talks at relevant events, for example, the OActiveProject conference where Prof Mary Murphy recently presented.

Outside of work

Well, in the last year and a half, not a lot has happened. To be honest, I am a bit of a nerd (I hate to admit it), but I love science and how it explains the world. I have a keen interest in nature and animals. I am a movie/TV/book nerd. I have played basketball in a semi-professional, national league in Ireland and have played with NUI Galway and my high school, St. Marys College in Galway.

Thank you very much for your time, and best of luck with your project.

Welcome to the AutoCRAT team, Dale Creaven, PhD candidate at NUI Galway2021-05-25T15:01:07+00:00

What are EVs? Where are they found? Why are they medically interesting?

Prof. Dr Bernd Giebel, University Medicine Essen

Within AutoCRAT, two research groups work on the EV-based therapeutic development for the modulation of osteoarthritis: Prof. Dr Bernd Giebel heads a research group within the University Medicine Essen’s Institute for Transfusion Medicine. As an expert in early human haematopoiesis and extracellular vesicles (EV) research, his group focusses on human hematopoietic stem cell biology and the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived EVs. Prof. Chiara Gentili’s research team in the Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES) at the Università degli Studi di Genova brings decades of experience with pre-clinical models for regenerative medicine and expertise in MSC and EV production for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

At the turn of the millennium, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), became popular research entities in regenerative medicine. Aiming to apply allogeneic off-the-shelf MSC products for acute conditions, like myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, researchers began studying the interaction of allogenic MSCs with components of the immune system and showed that they exert immunomodulatory functions [1, 2]. Regarding their pro-regenerative and immunomodulatory potentials, up to now, MSCs have been applied in more than a thousand clinical trials to various patient cohorts (www.clinicaltrials.gov), some confirming their therapeutic potential, others failing to show efficacy [3].

Prof. Chiara Gentili, Università degli Studi di Genova

As most systemically administered MSCs are recovered in the lungs of recipients and hardly in affected tissues, the long-lasting dogma that MSCs act in a cell replacement role became challenged. Quickly, researchers postulated that they mainly act in a paracrine cell-to-cell communication capacity [4, 5]. After confirming that MSC conditioned media exerted comparable therapeutic effects to administered cells [6-8], several groups began to search for active components in MSC conditioned media. The groups of Giovanni Camussi and Sai Kiang Lim showed in 2009 and 2010 that MSCs’ therapeutic activity was recovered in vesicle enriched culture media fractions [9, 10]. After defining microvesicles as budding from the plasma membrane and exosomes as derivatives of the endosomal compartment, and because different vesicular entities cannot yet be experimentally separated from each other, the scientific community agreed in experimental settings to the use of the term extracellular vesicles (EVs) instead of more specified terms [11, 12]. Using EVs for therapeutic purposes has many advantages over cells. For example, EV-based therapeutics are easier to handle and can be separated by filtration [13]. In recent years, the therapeutic EV field has grown exponentially. MSC-EV products, like their parental cells, modulate immune responses in animal models and have been efficaciously used to treat an otherwise treatment-resistant human with Graft-versus-Host Disease [14, 15].

Meanwhile, many groups approach the clinic intending to apply MSC-EV products to different patient cohorts including those with COVID-19 [16]. Although pre-clinical data are very encouraging and MSC-EVs, in principle, provide promising therapeutic agents for the future, several translation challenges remain. For now, production protocols are not standardized, and apparently, not all MSCs are competent in releasing therapeutically active EVs [13, 16-18]. Despite reports that MSC-EVs possess immunomodulatory, pro-regenerative, pro-angiogenic and/or anti-apoptotic properties, their precise mechanisms of action remain unclear. Collaborative research as in AutoCRAT is required to improve MSC-EV production platforms and to explore the MSC-EV’s therapeutic potential to warrant effective translation into the clinic [19, 20].

 

References:

  1. Di Nicola, M., et al., Human bone marrow stromal cells suppress T-lymphocyte proliferation induced by cellular or nonspecific mitogenic stimuli. Blood, 2002. 99(10): p. 3838-43.
  2. Bartholomew, A., et al., Mesenchymal stem cells suppress lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and prolong skin graft survival in vivo. Experimental hematology, 2002. 30(1): p. 42-8.
  3. Galipeau, J. and L. Sensebe, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Clinical Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities. Cell Stem Cell, 2018. 22(6): p. 824-833.
  4. Caplan, A.I. and J.E. Dennis, Mesenchymal stem cells as trophic mediators. Journal of cellular biochemistry, 2006. 98(5): p. 1076-84.
  5. Caplan, A.I., Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Time to Change the Name! Stem Cells Transl Med, 2017. 6(6): p. 1445-1451.
  6. Gnecchi, M., et al., Evidence supporting paracrine hypothesis for Akt-modified mesenchymal stem cell-mediated cardiac protection and functional improvement. The FASEB journal: official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 2006. 20(6): p. 661-9.
  7. Gnecchi, M., et al., Paracrine action accounts for marked protection of ischemic heart by Akt-modified mesenchymal stem cells. Nature medicine, 2005. 11(4): p. 367-8.
  8. Timmers, L., et al., Reduction of myocardial infarct size by human mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium. Stem Cell Res, 2007. 1(2): p. 129-37.
  9. Bruno, S., et al., Mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles protect against acute tubular injury. J Am Soc Nephrol, 2009. 20(5): p. 1053-67.
  10. Lai, R.C., et al., Exosome secreted by MSC reduces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Stem Cell Res, 2010. 4(3): p. 214-22.
  11. Gould, S.J. and G. Raposo, As we wait: coping with an imperfect nomenclature for extracellular vesicles. J Extracell Vesicles, 2013. 2.
  12. Thery, C., et al., Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018): a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines. J Extracell Vesicles, 2018. 7(1): p. 1535750.
  13. Lener, T., et al., Applying extracellular vesicles based therapeutics in clinical trials – an ISEV position paper. J Extracell Vesicles, 2015. 4: p. 30087.
  14. Giebel, B., L. Kordelas, and V. Borger, Clinical potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles. Stem Cell Investig, 2017. 4(10): p. 84.
  15. Börger, V., et al., Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Their Potential as Novel Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Agents. Int J Mol Sci, 2017. 18(7).
  16. Börger, V., et al., ISEV and ISCT statement on EVs from MSCs and other cells: considerations for potential therapeutic agents to suppress COVID-19. Cytotherapy, 2020.
  17. Witwer, K.W., et al., Defining mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived small extracellular vesicles for therapeutic applications. J Extracell Vesicles, 2019. 8(1): p. 1609206.
  18. Reiner, A.T., et al., Concise Review: Developing Best-Practice Models for the Therapeutic Use of Extracellular Vesicles. Stem Cells Transl Med, 2017. 6(8): p. 1730-1739.
  19. Weiss, D.J., et al., Weiss Response to Sengupta et al. (DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0095). Stem Cells and Development, 2020. 29(24): p. 1533-1534.
  20. Lim, S.K., et al., Re: “Exosomes Derived from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Treatment for Severe COVID-19” by Sengupta et al. Stem Cells Dev, 2020.
What are EVs? Where are they found? Why are they medically interesting?2021-03-09T12:52:38+00:00

Fraunhofer IPT’s work in AutoCRAT features in MEDICA magazine and trade fair

Messe Düsseldorf featured Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology‘s work in robotics and automation within AutoCRAT in their September 2020 Smartlab series of stories and videos. In June 2020, the media firm interviewed Jelena Ochs and Ferdinand Biermann for the news pieces and films which were produced in both German and English. The films were shown at the MEDICA Fair which took place online  November 16-19, 2020. Over 45,000 professional unique users from 169 nations visited the virtual event. International online visitors to the event made up 78% of the attendees. These activities provided important stimuli for the healthcare economy.

We wish to thank editors Timo Roth and Natascha Mörs, and Herr Marc Pettenkofer at the camera who came to the AutoCRAT laboratory at Fraunhofer IPT in Aachen to create the recordings and conduct the interviews.

Read the feature stories in MEDICA magazine in German and in English. View the short films in German and in English below.

 

 

 

Fraunhofer IPT’s work in AutoCRAT features in MEDICA magazine and trade fair2021-03-09T12:40:24+00:00

LUMC Osteoarthritis Public and Patients’ group recommences online

Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ has left several enjoyable aspects of life a challenge for many. PI Prof. Dr Ingrid Meulenbelt of Leiden University Medical Center conducted her osteoarthritis (OA) public and patients in research (PPI) group via Zoom yesterday, February 24, 2021. At this first meeting since COVID-19 ravaged the world, the group of ten seemed very happy to talk together again. Similar to everybody who is less mobile and bound to home, they are lonely.

The group typically met in person every two to three months in Leiden to discuss research on OA within and outside the group. They work as a team to offer mutual help with research proposals and to prioritize gaining broad societal support for research. Participants have adapted to the current situation but had a great deal to discuss, mainly the points below as prepared by Prof. Dr Meulenbelt. It is such welcome news that PPI groups have adapted and are meeting again!

 

 

 

LUMC Osteoarthritis Public and Patients’ group recommences online2023-03-06T16:19:52+00:00

NUI Galway hosts cell and EV imaging webinar, December 10, 2020

Join AutoCRAT partners at NUI Galway as they host the webinar “Real-Time Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Research Tools With The Potential For Clinical Use” on December 10, 2020, at 2 pm GMT. 

Click here for free registrationhttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2047840817639953935

Fluorescence-guided surgery, a real-time intraoperative navigation modality, enables surgeons to precisely discriminate boundaries between lesions and healthy tissue.

In this webinar, Prof. O’Shea of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will present research on a novel class of NIR-fluorophores (BF2-azadipyrromethene) as an attractive tool for the identification of different anatomical features. In addition, this fluorophore has also shown high biocompatibility and labelling efficiency with human cells and their-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). This valuable feature further supports its application in cell and EV tracking analysis for both in vivo and in vitro.

If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact Dr Maojia Xu by email at .

NUI Galway hosts cell and EV imaging webinar, December 10, 20202020-11-30T12:14:31+00:00

AutoCRAT acknowledged by Prof Dr Bernd Giebel at ISLB conference

Prof Dr Bernd Giebel, University Hospital Essen

At the virtual International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB) conference on Friday, October 30th, 2020, Prof Dr Bernd Giebel of the University Hospital Essen (www.uk-essen.de) will deliver a presentation acknowledging AutoCRAT. This talk entitled “Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles, a novel Tool in Regenerative Medicine” will be broadcast to attendees on Friday, October 30th as part of the ISLB – ISEV joint session in Extracellular Vesicles. Find the entire conference programme here.

AutoCRAT acknowledged by Prof Dr Bernd Giebel at ISLB conference2021-03-02T10:21:32+00:00

Partner news: Valitacell selected for the Startup Creasphere health tech accelerator programme


Dr Stephanie Davies leads Valitacell’s team in AutoCRAT

AutoCRAT partners, Valitacell, (www.valitacell.com) a Dublin-headquartered biotechnology SME, has been selected by as one of eleven high potential global start-ups to join the prestigious health tech accelerator programme Startup Creasphere. Since 2014, award-winning Valitacell produces innovative products and technologies for the biopharmaceutical industry. Valitacell’s products enable biopharmaceutical companies to bring drugs to the market quicker, cheaper and with greater regulatory confidence.

Established in 2018, by Roche and Plug and Play, Startup Creasphere is a Digital Health Accelerator innovation programme that matches global pharmaceutical partners including Roche, Sanofi and Lonza with the world’s most innovative and disruptive health tech start-ups. The global healthcare giant Lonza has chosen to collaborate with Valitacell as their chosen high potential start-up for the 3-month programme.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Stephanie Davies, Head of Cell Therapy at Valitacell remarked:

“Valitacell is delighted to have been chosen by Lonza for this 3-month accelerator programme and we look forward to working with Lonza to transform healthcare together.”

About Lonza: Founded in Switzerland in 1897, Lonza is a leading global provider of integrated healthcare solutions employing 15,500 employees across 35 countries and generating over €5.5bn annually.

Read Valitacell’s press release here.

 

 

Partner news: Valitacell selected for the Startup Creasphere health tech accelerator programme2020-10-28T08:00:14+00:00
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