The mechanical properties of wound sites significantly influence the healing rate and quality of newly formed tissue. Our advanced devices can monitor the mechanical environment of healthy and injured tissues. Moreover, it characterizes the influence of mechanical properties on biological processes linked to tissue healing, such as collective cell migration and wound contraction. By applying this technology to developing human skin equivalents and organoids, scientists can more accurately model the physical microenvironment of native tissues. Besides, we support the development of scaffolds and drug delivery systems, as the mechanical properties of these materials are crucial to ensuring compliance with injured tissue in vivo.

Cell culture is essential for investigating the fundamental biophysical and biomolecular mechanisms in assembling cells into tissues and organs. It includes understanding the functioning of tissues and how they are disrupted by disease. We offer distinctive technology that allows precise mechanical testing across various length scales and resolutions for a broad range of in vitro models, from 2D cell cultures to complex 3D cellular systems. Our instruments can contribute valuable insights for designing mechanically and physiologically in vitro models, particularly in disease modeling, drug screening, and tissue engineering.

Soft contact lenses, such as hydrogels, should be flexible to adapt to the cornea, allow sufficient oxygen flow, and reduce friction for greater comfort. They need to resist tearing and maintain optimal thickness and shape after deformation. Advances in materials improve these aspects, but choosing a soft material for comfort presents challenges. Lenses with insufficient stiffness are difficult to handle and may affect tear exchange. Ongoing refinement reflects a commitment to balancing softness and practicality in contact lens design. In this sense, our instruments contribute to material optimization, quality control, and the development of innovative lens designs, ultimately improving the overall performance and comfort of contact lenses.

In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research, mechanical properties represent one of
the main parameters guiding the design and manufacture of scaffolds. Advanced scaffolds must
behave similarly to their biological counterparts when microscopically tested while mimicking microstructure and mechanical properties at the scale of cellular interactions. Furthermore, engineered materials need to promote cell migration and extracellular matrix formation for tissue regeneration. We are instrumental in optimizing scaffolds, ensuring their mechanical properties align with tissue requirements, supporting effective cell-biomaterial interaction, and complying with the criteria for successful drug delivery for tissue regeneration.

Muscle injuries, ranging from strains to tears, result from factors such as overuse, trauma, and genetic diseases. They can disrupt muscle structure, including fibers, connective tissue, and nerves. Injured muscles exhibit reduced strength, increased stiffness, and impaired contractility. Our technology enables scientists to measure the mechanical properties and contractility of myocytes, such as 3D-engineered muscle tissue. It also plays a crucial role in unraveling muscle tissue regeneration and optimizing treatments for cardiac diseases and neuromuscular disorders.

Injures or degradations of cartilage often change the tissue’s mechanical properties. It can result from disruption of the collagen network or alterations in the water content within the extracellular matrix. The success of cartilage regeneration is contingent upon replicating its intrinsic mechanical properties, including stiffness, elasticity, and resilience. Achieving the native mechanical properties of tissues is vital for seamless functional integration within the joint and ensures the regenerated cartilage can withstand daily mechanical stresses, providing essential tissue stability. Our instruments contribute to advancing tissue engineering strategies, biomaterial selection, and an overall understanding of the mechanical aspects critical to successful cartilage regeneration.

Injuries to the skin’s normal barrier function heal through a progressive cellular response involving fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes to restore the skin’s integrity. During wound healing, mechanical forces are fundamental to skin regeneration. Changes in tissue mechanical properties, such as stiffness and viscosity, affect cell behavior and skin regeneration quality. Our advanced innovation can monitor the mechanical environment of injured skin. Additionally, it characterizes the influence of mechanical properties on biological processes linked to tissue healing, such as collective cell migration and wound contraction. By applying this technology to developing human skin equivalents and organoids, scientists can more accurately model the physical microenvironment of native skin, as the mechanical properties of these materials are fundamental to ensuring compliance with injured tissue in vivo.

Cultured meat is a type of meat produced by the in vitro cultivation of animal cells, which involves
harvesting a small sample of animal cells and then encouraging their growth in a controlled environment, such as a bioreactor. The texture, mouthfeel, and overall sensory experience of cultured meat depend significantly on its mechanical properties. Achieving the desired mechanical properties is essential for producing a product that resembles traditional meat and meets consumer expectations. Our technology can support scientists in optimizing the tissue engineering process by monitoring cell proliferation, tissue formation, and suitable environmental conditions for the maturation of cultured meat. Measuring the mechanical properties of scaffolds and other support structures also contributes to developing a meat-like structure, as they can influence the alignment and organization of cells.