FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 10, 2015

Contact: Beth Lindborg
Title: Director of Research and Marketing
Company: BRTI Life Sciences
Phone Number: (612) 360-3958
Email Address: blindborg@brtilifesciences.com

BRTI Life Sciences has been awarded a Regenerative Medicine Minnesota (RMM) grant to support the purchase of capital equipment required for Cell-Mate3D™ manufacturing and product line expansion. This award will enable BRTI Life Sciences to grow its current product line and offer matrix technologies of multiple stiffness that better mimic native tissues such as brain, muscle, and bone. Resulting products will provide scientists with new tools for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cancer research.

The Minnesota State Legislature established RMM in 2014 to fund research, education, patient care, and business development initiatives that improve or increase access to regenerative medicine throughout the state.

About BRTI Life Sciences

Bioactive Regenerative Therapeutics, Inc. (dba: BRTI Life Sciences) offers biomedical researchers defined, tissue-like, and injectable 3D cell culture matrices free of crosslinking agents. Our biomimetic matrix technologies create ideal cell microenvironments for applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and cancer research. We are continually inspired by our customer’s ideas, discoveries, and dedication and are committed to offering high quality and easy to use solutions to help scientists succeed.

To learn more, visit: www.BRTILifeSciences.com   

About Regenerative Medicine Minnesota (RMM)

Regenerative Medicine Minnesota aims to improve the health of Minnesotans by advancing regenerative medicine research, education, industry and care delivery to patients. This state-wide initiative will furthermore open new economic opportunities through commercialization of technologies. Regenerative Medicine Minnesota leverages the strengths of Minnesota institutions to position the state at the forefront of regenerative medicine. To learn more, visit: https://sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/mnregenmed/website-builder

TWO HARBORS, MN – (March 25, 2015) – BRTI Life Sciences has been awarded a Minnesota Innovation Voucher to support expansion of Cell-Mate3D™ applications. Cell-Mate3D is a tissue-like matrix technology that creates a more realistic environment for cells used in stem cell and cancer research. The funds will be used to purchase technical assistance from the University of Minnesota Imaging Centers (UIC) and will help fund the investigation and quantification of live/dead staining and cellular metabolism within the Cell-Mate3D matrix technology. Resulting protocols and data will be posted on BRTI Life Sciences’ website, increasing the utility of the product to customers and enabling them to perform new and innovative cancer and stem cell research.

Beth Lindborg, Director of Research and Marketing at BRTI Life Sciences commented: “This voucher program, combined with the resources offered by the UIC – including knowledgeable staff and powerful imaging tools will accelerate our product development helping to give BRTI a competitive advantage in the 3D cell culture space.”

“The University Imaging Centers is enthusiastic to add BRTI Life Sciences to the list of company collaborators that have access to our state-of-the-art equipment and staff at the University of Minnesota. Our ongoing support from the Office of Vice-President for Research, the Academic Health Centers/Medical School and the College of Biological Sciences has allowed us to successfully and collaboratively work towards pushing forward BRTI’s efforts to solve broad-reaching biological challenges” said Dr. Mark Sanders, director of the University Imaging Centers at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.

About BRTI Life Sciences

Bioactive Regenerative Therapeutics, Inc. (dba: BRTI Life Sciences) offers biomedical researchers defined, tissue-like, and injectable 3D cell culture matrices free of crosslinking agents. Our biomimetic matrix technologies create an ideal cell microenvironment for applications in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and cancer research. We are continually inspired by our customer’s ideas, discoveries, and dedication and are committed to offering high quality and easy to use solutions to help scientists succeed. To learn more, visit: www.BRTILifeSciences.com

About the University of Minnesota Imaging Centers

The University Imaging Centers (UIC) compose a network of core imaging facility locations for advanced optical imaging and basic electron microscopy located within the AHC/Medical School and College of Biological on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. The UIC is also a Nikon Center of Excellence.

The UIC cores serve internal and external research clients in the design of imaging experiments, choice of and training on suitable imaging systems, and subsequent image processing, visualization and analysis. The UIC provides more than two dozen advanced imaging systems including: N-SIM super resolution microscopy; macro spectral confocal microscopy; wide-field light and fluorescence microscopy; spinning disk confocal; four (4) laser-scanning confocal microscopes; two multi-photon/Second Harmonic Generation microscopes; total internal reflectance microscope (TIRF); laser capture micro-dissection; several live cell imaging systems; scanning and transmission electron microscopy; whole animal fluorescence, bioluminescence, chemiluminescence and X-ray imagers; gel, print and film scanners; poster printers; full sample preparation capabilities; along with 4 full-time and 4 part-time experienced staff members. To learn more, visit: uic.umn.edu

About the Minnesota Innovation Voucher Program

This pilot program provides up to $25,000 in financing to help small businesses purchase technical assistance and services necessary to advance research, development or commercialization of new or innovative products and services. Qualifying companies receive vouchers, which can be redeemed with approved public universities, colleges, technical schools and nonprofits in Minnesota. To learn more, visit: http://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed-programs/innovation-voucher.jsp

http://www.devicemed.fr/dossiers/equipements-de-production-et-techniques-de-fabrication/production-et-test-dhydrogel-pour-le-marche-du-genie-tissulaire/2106

Jiggly, water-soluble monomers are excellent candidates for cell culture, stem cell differentiation, cancer cell research, wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and medical device development. And, just like all new materials, it must be well characterized in order to trust results and develop new products … But we all know that gripping a jello-like substance is a challenge.

Dr. John H. Brekke – a pioneer in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine – established BRTI Life Sciences in 2003. His mission is to create matrix technologies for biomedical researchers that are “biologically relevant, defined, tissue-like, translational, and free from chemical or UV crosslinking reagents”. As a result of his mission, the firm has developed a unique, biomimetic hydrogel intended as a three-dimensional environment for study of stem cells and their therapeutic applications. Cell-Mate3D, a biomimetic 3D cell culture matrix, is designed to support and enhance cell culture assays. The materials are carefully chosen and processed to create an ideal microenvironment for your cells.

In a recent collaboration with Dr. John Brekke, we have had the opportunity to create a new zero-clamp grip compatible with our bioreactor chamber and frames for tension characterization and stimulation of hydrogels. This instrumentation and mechanical environment allows for Dr. Brekke to test and tune the stiffness of their product. Tissue-like stiffness mimics the in vivo extracellular environment and resulting mechanical signals influence cell behavior and differentiation potential. BRTI plans to supply Cell-Mate3D in a variety of stiffness’s, from which customers will be able to choose the correct micro-environment for their specific research.

http://www.instron.us/wa/landing/default.aspx?land=15739f8d12f&MPID=5776&utm_source=Instron+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=c50942f345-TERM_Newsletter_Q4_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_036cddb8b5-c50942f345-34714653

For Immediate Release Contact: Nancy Moloney – Marcom Specialist
Instron®
Tel: (781) 575-5690
Email: nancy_moloney@instron.com

HYDROGEL CHARACTERIZATION SOLUTION

Instron, a leading provider of testing equipment designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components, is collaborating with Dr. John Brekke at BRTI Life Sciences in Duluth, Minnesota. Dr. John H. Brekke is a pioneer in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The firm has developed a unique, biomimetic hydrogel intended as a three-dimensional environment for study of stem cells and their therapeutic applications. Cell-Mate3D, a biomimetic 3D cell culture matrix, is designed to support and enhance cell culture assays. The materials are carefully chosen and processed to create an ideal microenvironment for your cells.

Partnering with Dr Brekke, Instron has provided the instrumentation and mechanical environment to test and tune the stiffness of their product. Tissue-like stiffness mimics the in vivo extracellular environment and resulting mechanical signals influence cell behavior and differentiation potential. BRTI plans to supply Cell-Mate3D in a variety of stiffnesses, from which customers will be able to choose the correct micro-environment for their specific research.

The Instron LigaGen bioreactor system provides axial stress or strain to a construct. The stress/strain profiles can be defined by the user and can be a simple sinusoidal or a physiological waveform. These features allow researchers to design the environment of interest in a reliable and repeatable manner to systematically develop a standard product. The new hydrogel grips, patent pending, use a custom zero-clamp design to provide secure hydrogel gripping without damaging the sample.

About Instron

Instron is a leading global manufacturer of testing equipment for the material and structural testing markets used to evaluate materials ranging from native tissue to advanced highstrength alloys. Instron systems perform a variety of tests such as compression, cyclic, fatigue, impact, melt flow, multi-axis, rheology, tensile, and torsion. Providing single-source convenience through a comprehensive range of solutions and localized service & support, Instron’s broad range of service capabilities include assistance with performance verification & calibration, standards compliance, testing system relocation, staff training, and preventative maintenance.

The Instron Centers of Excellence around the world ensure that behind every Instron system is an unprecedented commitment and dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. Instron remains involved with various ASTM and ISO committees, gaining first-hand knowledge of recent and upcoming changes to standards that affect our customers.

For more information, contact Instron, 825 University Ave, Norwood, MA 02062, USA. Tollfree: 1-800-564-8378; Fax: 1-781-575-5725; Email: info_news@instron.com

About BRTI Life Sciences

Dr. John Brekke founded BRTI Life Sciences in 2003 with a mission to create matrix technologies for biomedical researchers that are “biologically relevant, defined, tissue-like, translational, and free from chemical or UV crosslinking reagents”. The result is Cell-Mate3D, an injectable matrix and 3D cell culture tool that creates an ideal microenvironment for cell and drug delivery, disease modeling, and regenerative engineering applications. The company has grown to include leaders in science and industry and continues to offer easy to use, high quality solutions that help scientists succeed. We are continually inspired by our customer’s ideas, discoveries and dedication. Aiming to provide customers with products that truly add value to their research, we guarantee complete customer satisfaction with every purchase.

For more information, contact BRTI, 1313 Fairground Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA.
Toll-free: 1-888-868-9100; Email: info@brtilifesciences.com