AutoCRAT will:
Our Mission I – Novel OA Therapies
Our work will explore the use of articular chondrocytesThe basic cells that make up articular cartilage (the tissue covering the ends of bones where joints are formed). More (cartilage cells) to repair cartilage. We will also use mesenchymal stromal cellsPlastic-adherent cells that can be isolated from bone marrow, adipose, and other tissue sources. These cells have the capacity to differentiate into bone cells, cartilage cells, muscle cells and fat cells. Studies have shown MSC may have therapeutic effects through their secretome. (MSCsPlastic-adherent cells that can be isolated from bone marrow, adipose, and other tissue sources. These cells have the capacity to differentiate into bone cells, cartilage cells, muscle cells and fat cells. Studies have shown MSC may have therapeutic effects through their secretome.), which have shown potential therapeutic effects in other studies,[1] to prevent development of or to treat established OA. Finally, we will explore the therapeutic effects of the particles secreted by MSCsPlastic-adherent cells that can be isolated from bone marrow, adipose, and other tissue sources. These cells have the capacity to differentiate into bone cells, cartilage cells, muscle cells and fat cells. Studies have shown MSC may have therapeutic effects through their secretome. known as extracellular vesiclesExtracellular Vesicles or EVs are sub-cellular packages released by MSC. EV have shown potential to deliver therapeutic effects., or EVsExtracellular Vesicles or EVs are sub-cellular packages released by MSC. EV have shown potential to deliver therapeutic effects..
We will generate sustainable sources of these therapeutic cells and EVsExtracellular Vesicles or EVs are sub-cellular packages released by MSC. EV have shown potential to deliver therapeutic effects. by using hiPSCHuman-induced pluripotent stem cells- originate from adult human cells and through laboratory reprogramming can give rise to or differentiate to become any cell type in the body; these cells self-renew indefinitely in the laboratory. – adult-derived pluripotent stem cells that can be reprogrammed in the laboratory to become any cell type in the body. We will use hiPSCHuman-induced pluripotent stem cells- originate from adult human cells and through laboratory reprogramming can give rise to or differentiate to become any cell type in the body; these cells self-renew indefinitely in the laboratory. to generate:
- hiCHOHuman-induced articular chondrocytes- originate from human iPSC that are differentiated to articular cartilage cells which comprise the tissue at the end of bones. (articular chondrocytesThe basic cells that make up articular cartilage (the tissue covering the ends of bones where joints are formed). More or cartilage cells developed from hiPSCHuman-induced pluripotent stem cells- originate from adult human cells and through laboratory reprogramming can give rise to or differentiate to become any cell type in the body; these cells self-renew indefinitely in the laboratory.).
- hiMSCHuman-induced mesenchymal stromal cells- originating from hiPSC and differentiated to MSC. (MSC developed from hiPSCHuman-induced pluripotent stem cells- originate from adult human cells and through laboratory reprogramming can give rise to or differentiate to become any cell type in the body; these cells self-renew indefinitely in the laboratory.).
We will also explore the proteins secreted by hiMSCHuman-induced mesenchymal stromal cells- originating from hiPSC and differentiated to MSC. (secretomeProteins expressed and secreted by cells.), including EVsExtracellular Vesicles or EVs are sub-cellular packages released by MSC. EV have shown potential to deliver therapeutic effects. secreted by these cells (hiEVHuman-induced extracellular vesicles- originating and secreted from hiMSC.) and their therapeutic effect. We will harness our results to define second generation therapeutics (such as OA-specific hiEVHuman-induced extracellular vesicles- originating and secreted from hiMSC.) and devise methods for optimum delivery to the OA joint for sustained in vivo effects.
Finally, we will develop novel delivery systems with 3-D printed materials incorporating therapeutic hiCHOHuman-induced articular chondrocytes- originate from human iPSC that are differentiated to articular cartilage cells which comprise the tissue at the end of bones. for cartilage repair.
Our Mission II – the Regenerative Medicine Factory
AutoCRAT will develop the AutoCRAT Regenerative Medicine Factory (ARM-F) for automation of the hiPSCHuman-induced pluripotent stem cells- originate from adult human cells and through laboratory reprogramming can give rise to or differentiate to become any cell type in the body; these cells self-renew indefinitely in the laboratory. process for the production of clinical-grade hiCHOHuman-induced articular chondrocytes- originate from human iPSC that are differentiated to articular cartilage cells which comprise the tissue at the end of bones., hiMSCHuman-induced mesenchymal stromal cells- originating from hiPSC and differentiated to MSC. and their secreted therapeutic hiEVHuman-induced extracellular vesicles- originating and secreted from hiMSC. cargo. This will be a closed, scalable and regulatory-compliant automated system for aseptic production of cells and cell products for therapeutic use. The system will include automated at line cell and process testing protocols throughout to ensure optimal yield and quality of regenerative therapeutic products.
In AutoCRAT the team will build on the ground-breaking work of earlier successful projects and initiatives:
- StemCellDiscovery (automated robotic pipeline for cultivation and research of stem cells) and
- AUTOSTEM – a Horizon 2020 EU funded project, where AutoCRAT partners were involved in the development of an automated, closed, GMPGood Manufacturing Practice and GAMPGood Automated Manufacturing Practice-ready production system for Bone Marrow derived-MSC – the ‘StromalCellFactory’.
The ARM-F will provide the foundations for the innovative regenerative medicine factory of the future to enable the economical production of clinical-grade cell or cell-inspired regulatory- and GMPGood Manufacturing Practice/GAMP-compliant-products. The ARM-F will move us closer to the ultimate goal of addressing the unmet clinical needs of people with OA. The ARM-F will also be adaptable for use in the production of other therapeutic cells and cell-based products.
The Project Plan
Our workplan reflects the ambitions of the Project and consists of a number of key workstreams, which are interconnected.

The AutoCRAT Project Plan
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