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Project news

AutoCRAT results avalanche at OARSI 2024

Our researchers will be in Vienna this week to showcase AutoCRAT findings and results.

University of Gothenburg‘s Dr Kristina Vukusic‘s poster (#450) titled “Efficacy of Intra-articular Injections of human induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Extracellular Vesicles, and hydrogel in Chondral Repair”, and Prof.  Victoria Rotter Sopasakis‘s poster #442, “Protocol for Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Chondrocytes Suitable for Regenerative Therapy of #Osteoarthritis.”

The University of Galway early-stage researcher Dale Creaven’s poster “In vitro assessment of the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cell- and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stromal cell apoptotic bodies” can be found at LB-050. In addition, Jason Hunt, also of the University of Galway, presented a poster titled “Generating Mesenchymal Stromal Cells From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells As An Alternative Cell Source For Cell Therapy”.

In addition to presentations, our team of Prof. Ingrid Meulenbelt and Dr Yolande F. M. Ramos at Leiden University Medical Center will also take part in the Regenerative Medicine in OA Discussion Group and have been invited to a lunch to celebrate Women in Stem Cell Research.

OARSI is the premier international organization for scientists and health care professionals focused on the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis through the promotion and presentation of research, education and the worldwide dissemination of new knowledge.

AutoCRAT results avalanche at OARSI 20242024-04-22T11:46:24+00:00

Dr Vikusic presents AutoCRAT preliminary results at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg

On March 7, 2024, the University of Gothenburg‘s Dr Kristina Vikusic delivered an engaging talk to the Rheumatology Department at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.  The talk included an overview of osteoarthritis and the differentiation of iPS cells to induced chondrocytes and showed some preliminary AutoCRAT results from the ongoing sheep study.

The audience of 35 in-person and 15 online asked many questions.

Dr Vikusic presents AutoCRAT preliminary results at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg2024-03-08T08:51:45+00:00

Dr Kristina Vukusic presents AutoCRAT research at ATMP Sweden meeting in Uppsala

The annual ATMP Sweden 2023 meeting took place on December 5th and 6th, 2023 in Uppsala. Dr Kristina Vukusic of the University of Gothenburg presented the group’s AutoCRAT results in a poster titled “Development of Cell-Based Products for Cartilage Repair.”

ATMP Sweden is the national network of Sweden’s activities within medicines based on genes, cells or tissue engineering, classified as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in Europe. Their goal is to promote the collaboration and communication needed for accelerated, effective ATMP-based patient solutions.

Dr Kristina Vukusic presents AutoCRAT research at ATMP Sweden meeting in Uppsala2023-12-07T13:14:16+00:00

Professor Barry presents AutoCRAT at Biotherapies Days conference in Toulouse

Professor of Cellular Therapy at the University of Galway, Frank Barry presented two keynote lectures at the Biotherapies Days conference in Toulouse, France on November 23 and 24, 2023. The first of these, entitled MSC Therapy: Present Challenges and Future Opportunities addressed topics of cell manufacturing automation closely aligned to the AutoCRAT theme. The second keynote,  entitled MSCs as Mediators of Tissue Repair: Understanding The Mechanism of Action addressed aspects of basic science and therapeutic mechanisms.

Find the 2-day conference programme here.

 

Professor Barry presents AutoCRAT at Biotherapies Days conference in Toulouse2023-12-04T15:53:30+00:00

Joint AutoCRAT paper in Processes from Fraunhofer IPT and U of Galway

Congratulations to AutoCRAT researchers at Fraunhofer IPT and the University of Galway for their recent publications in the journal Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). It will be part of a special issue, “Application of Deep Learning in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing”

The article is titled: Automated Production at Scale of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, Chondrocytes and Extracellular Vehicles: Towards Real-Time Release. Author/researchers Laura Herbst, Ferdinand Groten, Mary Murphy, Georgina Shaw, Bastian Nießing, and Robert H. Schmitt published the paper on October 10th, 2023. Download the PDF here.

Citation:

Herbst L, Groten F, Murphy M, Shaw G, Nießing B, Schmitt RH. Automated Production at Scale of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, Chondrocytes and Extracellular Vehicles: Towards Real-Time Release. Processes. 2023; 11(10):2938. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102938

Abstract: 

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) are amenable for use in a clinical setting for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), which remains one of the major illnesses worldwide. Aside from iPSC-derived iMSCs, chondrocytes (iCHO) and extracellular vesicles (EV) are also promising candidates for the treatment of OA. Manufacturing and quality control of iPSC-derived therapies is mainly manual and thus highly time-consuming and susceptible to human error. A major challenge in translating iPSC-based treatments more widely is the lack of sufficiently scaled production technologies from seeding to fill-and-finish. Formerly, the Autostem platform was developed for the expansion of tissue-derived MSCs at scale in stirred tank bioreactors and subsequent fill-and-finish. Additionally, the StemCellDiscovery platform was developed to handle plate-based cultivation of adherent cells including their microscopic analysis. By combining the existing automation technology of both platforms, all required procedures can be integrated into the AutoCRAT system, designed to handle iPSC expansion, differentiation to iMSCs and iCHOs, pilot scale expansion, and formulation of iMSCs as well as extracellular vesicles and their purification. Furthermore, the platform is equipped with several in-line and at-line assays to determine product quality, purity, and safety. This paper highlights the need for adaptable and modular automation concepts. It also stresses the importance of ensuring the safety of generated therapies by incorporating automated release testing and cleaning solutions in automated systems. The adapted platform concepts presented here will help translate these technologies for clinical production at the necessary scale.
Joint AutoCRAT paper in Processes from Fraunhofer IPT and U of Galway2023-10-19T08:55:39+00:00

Dr Kristina Vukusic presents AutoCRAT to the Department of Clinical Chemistry, UGOT

Automated Cellular Robot-Assisted Technologies for translation of discovery-led research in Osteoarthritis” was the title of the presentation delivered by Dr Kristina Vukusic on Friday, September 15th, 2023 at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital as part of a Molecular Medicine and Methodology Seminar Series. The audience consisted of 47 colleagues in the Department of Clinical Chemistry at the University of Gothenburg.

Kristina Vukusic PhD, is a researcher in Professor Anders Lindahl’s group at the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Gothenburg. She has expertise in regenerative medicine within cartilage and cardiovascular biology. Her current research involves the development of cell therapy for cartilage injuries.

Dr Kristina Vukusic presents AutoCRAT to the Department of Clinical Chemistry, UGOT2023-09-25T07:32:24+00:00

Prof. Meulenbelt, LUMC will present AutoCRAT data at knee OA public event in Leiden

On 23 September 2023 from 12:30 to 17:00, AutoCRAT PI Professor Ingrid Meulenbelt, LUMC will present her work within AutoCRAT as part of an osteoarthritis information afternoon organised by the orthopaedics department of the Alrijne Hospital outpatient clinic in Leiden, NL. This event aims to help people understand and cope with the challenges of knee osteoarthritis, as well as share the latest information and treatment options.

Orthopaedic surgeons Joris Jansen and Hugo Brouwers will give a presentation. Prof. Meulenbelt will present the latest cartilage studies and possible treatments in the near future, including her group’s stem cell therapy data. Around 200 patients are expected. Finally, Physiotherapist Maarten de Fockert (Physiotherapy Ommedijk) will explain the importance of continuing to move in a healthy way with images and practice. Together with lifestyle intervention expert Mariska Aanhane-Melissen, this promises to be an interactive session.

To view the programme and register to attend, click here.

 


Prof. Meulenbelt, LUMC will present AutoCRAT data at knee OA public event in Leiden2023-08-28T10:34:39+00:00

AutoCRAT research presented at TERMIS 2023, Manchester, UK

University of Galway and University of Genoa researchers took to the international stage at TERMIS 2023 to present their recent findings. The 4-day meeting took place in Manchester, UK from March 28th- 31st.

PhD candidate Jason Hunt (U of Galway) gave a talk on the 28th titled: Upscaling Production of hiMSC in a Bioreactor format. Also, on the 28th, Prof. Chiara Gentili facilitated a talk titled: Paracrine functionalities of hiMSCs cultured in clinical grade system: in vitro biological validation of hiMSC-derived EVs for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

PhD student Dale Creaven (U of Galway) presented a poster on March 30th. Its title was: Assessment of the therapeutic potential of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. The poster was 1 of 23 selected posters for the Student and Young Investigator poster presentation award out of a total 470 posters.

Find the TERMIS 2023 programme of talks here. The TERMIS EU conference is the leading event for the dissemination of the latest research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, offering researchers, clinicians and industry an ideal opportunity to present and discuss their most recent findings, developments and challenges in the field.

Jason Hunt at TERMIS 2023 in Manchester, UK

AutoCRAT research presented at TERMIS 2023, Manchester, UK2023-04-03T08:50:37+00:00

AutoCRAT helps enhance Erasmus+ experiences for young people

Pintail Limited‘s Danielle Nicholson and Universitaetsklinikum Essen‘s Dr Tobias Tertel are participating in the knowledge exchange activities of an EU-funded Erasmus+ project called GenEthics – Discussing the Controversial Bioethical Issue of Stem Cell Research as an Important Issue of our Time in the European Context, grant number 2020-1-DE03-KA229-077566_1.

Three schools are involved in GenEthics: Maria-Wächtler-Gymnasium in Essen, Germany, Coleguil National Mircea Cel Batran in Constanta, Romania, and Alviksskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. The project involves face-to-face meetings, lab tours, experiments, science fairs and presentations about stem cells and bioethics. Learn more about the project here.
Danielle facilitated an online presentation for the school group in Germany on March 27th, 2023. Here, she introduced the students (14-18 years of age) to the types of stem cells, where they are found, why they are medically interesting, and some of the ethical issues arising. There were 28 students and 8 teachers in attendance. She described  AutoCRAT and how the project researchers are addressing several key bottlenecks in the development of cell and cell-based treatments for osteoarthritis. There was time for questions and answers. The students were concerned with the costs- both the research and the eventual cost of cell therapies.
On March 29th, the students will visit the labs at Universitaetsklinikum Essen to do hands-on experiments- cell culture microscopy, cell culture trypsination and fluorescent microscope. Tobias will describe and demonstrate the bioreactor used in AutoCRAT. The activities at UK Essen are organized by Dr Verena Börger.
The aim of the GenEthics project is to enable young people to learn more about science and discuss different European values, views and ethical issues regarding the respective topics. This will also enable them to build bridges and develop into responsible European citizens who are engaged in current scientific topics with shared views which are enlarged by fruitful discussions to form new and better results.
AutoCRAT helps enhance Erasmus+ experiences for young people2023-03-28T08:12:46+00:00

AutoCRAT at OARSI 2023 in Denver, US

ESR Dale Creaven at OARSI 2023

University of Galway PhD candidates Jason Hunt and Dale Creaven presented posters at the 2023 Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) World Congress in Denver, Colorado. The meeting was held on March 17-20, 2023.

Jason’s poster was titled: Upscaling Manufacturing of Human Induced Pluripotent-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in a 1-L Bioreactor System

Dale’s poster was titled: In vitro Assessment of the Therapeutic Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (iMSCs)

OARSI is the premier international organization for scientists and healthcare professionals focused on the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.  More than 1200 people from 40 countries attended the high-profile conference.

Jason Hunt at OARSI 2023

AutoCRAT at OARSI 2023 in Denver, US2023-03-22T10:49:52+00:00

AutoCRAT in Genoa

The AutoCRAT team gathered in Genoa, Italy on the 2nd and 3rd of February 2023 for our latest plenary meeting.

We discussed recent results and plans for the project in the beautiful, Universita Degli Studi di Genova buildings in the historic heart of the city. Our key studies into the therapeutic effect of AutoCRAT products are taking shape and the build of the AutoCRAT platform continues in Aachen.

Sincere thanks to the team from UniGe who hosted the meeting and facilitated some productive discussions. We are looking forward already to the next in-person meeting in late Summer/Autumn 2023.

 

AutoCRAT in Genoa2023-02-10T16:06:06+00:00

PhD candidate Jason Hunt presents his work in AutoCRAT at U of Galway seminar

On January 10th, 2023, Jason Hunt, a PhD student in the Regenerative Medicine institute at the University of Galway presented AutoCRAT and a progress update on his research to approximately twenty lab colleagues. The talk was titled ‘Automated Manufacturing and Why it is Needed’.

In the weeks ahead Jason will be busy preparing presentations for two upcoming conferences; the OARSI conference and TERMIS where he will be showcasing his work on upscaling iMSC manufacturing as part of the AutoCRAT project!

PhD candidate Jason Hunt presents his work in AutoCRAT at U of Galway seminar2023-01-18T09:55:57+00:00

Great news for the cell and gene therapy field from Leiden, NL!

NecstGen, a cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing facility, received a manufacturer’s license in early December (2022) for the GMP production of advanced cell and gene therapies (ATMPs). GMP is a quality assurance system that describes the minimum standard that a drug manufacturer must meet in the production process. “This is a highlight, a stamp of approval, on the work of our dedicated team,” says Paul Bilars, CEO of NecstGen.

Source: https://www.lumc.nl/over-het-lumc/actueel/2022/december/necstgen-ontvangt-vergunning-voor-gmp-productie-van-atmps/

Read our previous story about NecstGen here.

Great news for the cell and gene therapy field from Leiden, NL!2022-12-09T09:42:42+00:00

Congratulations to our partners at Fraunhofer IPT for the latest AutoCRAT publication in the journal Processes

“Additively Manufactured Robot Gripper Blades for Automated Cell Production Processes”, a journal article prepared by our partners at Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) was published in the MDPI’s Processes on October 14th, 2022.

Congratulations to researcher-authors Ferdinand Biermann, Stefan Gräfe, Thomas Bergs and Robert H. Schmitt!

Citation: Biermann, F.; Gräfe, S.; Bergs, T.; Schmitt, R.H. Additively Manufactured Robot Gripper Blades for Automated Cell Production Processes. Processes 2022, 10, 2080. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10102080

Download the open-access paper here.

Congratulations to our partners at Fraunhofer IPT for the latest AutoCRAT publication in the journal Processes2022-10-17T15:14:29+00:00

“Osteoarthritis cure is the goal for EU-funded AutoCRAT project,” a HorizonEurope.ie feature

AutoCRAT is highlighted in a recent “Success Story” prepared by writers at Enterprise Ireland (https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/). The article published online showcases the collaboration between our European partners and their impactful history in the cell therapy field.

Read the piece published on September 20th, 2022 here.

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. They work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, they support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment. Find detailed information on Enterprise Ireland’s activities, strategy and performance in their Reports and Publications.

“Osteoarthritis cure is the goal for EU-funded AutoCRAT project,” a HorizonEurope.ie feature2022-09-23T12:20:03+00:00

AutoCRAT collaborative publication in Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Congratulations to authors Yolande F. M. Ramos,  Tobias Tertel,  Georgina Shaw,  Simon Staubach, Rodrigo Coutinho de Almeida, Eka Suchiman, Thomas B. Kuipers, Hailiang Mei, Frank Barry, Mary Murphy, Bernd Giebel and Ingrid Meulenbelt! The inter-institutional team of researchers from the LUMC, NUI Galway and Universitaetklinikum Hospital Essen have published the study entitled: Characterizing the secretome of licensed hiPSC-derived MSCs in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy on September 2nd, 2022.

Read the open access paper here.

Citation for this paper: Ramos, Y.F.M., Tertel, T., Shaw, G. et al. Characterizing the secretome of licensed hiPSC-derived MSCs. Stem Cell Res Ther 13, 434 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-022-03117-2

 

 

AutoCRAT collaborative publication in Stem Cell Research & Therapy2022-09-08T12:09:37+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

LUMC present AutoCRAT research at Orthopedic Research Society meeting in Tampa, Florida, USA

A poster depicting the AutoCRAT research of our partners at the Leiden University Medical Center was presented by Dr Yolande F. M. Ramos at the Orthopedic Research Society 2022 annual meeting in Tampa, Florida, USA. The poster of work was entitled  “Towards application of cell therapy using hiPSC-derived MSCs as stable ‘off-the-shelf’ cell source” and was selected among late-breaking abstracts for presentation. The meeting was held February 4th- 8th.

For over 65 years, the Orthopaedic Research Society has been the leading international research society dedicated to accelerating musculoskeletal discovery to improve health. The ORS community is multi-disciplinary and is comprised of members from academia, industry/private sector, government, and private practice at all career levels from around the world.

 

LUMC present AutoCRAT research at Orthopedic Research Society meeting in Tampa, Florida, USA2022-02-10T13:29:21+00:00
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