MonBone-2 - Research project

The use of animal models is the gold standard in biology for both basic and applied research. However, the use of animal models entails high costs in terms of both human and financial resources and also important ethical issues. In addition, the major physiological and metabolic differences between the adopted animals and humans often make these models irrelevant for pharmacological studies. Existing bone tissue models are still rudimentary. In this context, an innovative perfused 3D culture system allowing to achieve controlled, standardized and simplified culture of bone tissue models was designed and patented within SAINBIOSE. Implementing real-time, non-destructive analysis techniques would reduce the number of samples needed to obtain statistically significant results and would allow to obtain more information than the currently adopted end-point assays. Biosensors are particularly interesting tools for these applications. As part of the MonBone-2 project, we want to develop a strategy to functionalize the surface of biosensors based on surface modification induced by light such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The biosensors will be used to analyse proteins secreted by stem cells derived from human bone marrow during their cycle of differentiation into bone cells. Highly selective and sensitive bio-sensors will be developed, via their functionalization with appropriate bio-recognition elements, to be then potentially integrated into the automated culture platform. The project brings together local partners with highly complementary expertise.