Funding:  300 000 EUR

Project leader:  Janis Semenako, [email protected]

Project implemented by:  Riga Technical University; Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre

Field of science:  Medical engineering; Industrial biotechnology

It has been proven that extracellular vesicles EV of mesenchymal stem cells MSC possess the same therapeutic properties as MSC but without their disadvantages. However their clinical application is significantly hindered by the low amount of EV secretion. Until now the approaches used to increase secretion in bioreactors and in vitro have been based on genetic engineering and changes in the culture medium composition. As shown by studies of our research group extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields ELF EMF can enhance EV secretion in vitro but to validate the effect and use it for large scale EV production studies in a bioreactor are required as well as analysis of the functionality and biogenesis of the produced EV. The focus of the study is the development of an ELF EMF producing device that will be used to stimulate MSC in a hollow fiber bioreactor. The device must ensure a defined level of magnetic field intensity homogeneity and field strength throughout the entire volume of the MSC hollow fiber bioreactor cartridge. Such devices will be developed in two different designs: 1 a device intended to operate at a fixed frequency; 2 a device operating in the frequency range of 15 to 50 Hz. To prove and validate the increase in extracellular vesicle secretion characterization of the produced EV and functional comparison with control samples will be performed.

Project call: Open call 2022 of the Fundamental and Applied Research Projects programme.