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New REBORN Project Video Release

Thu, 30 May 2024 13:26:11 GMT

Remodelling of the infarcted heart: piezoelectric multifunctional patch video release

The REBORN project will aim to use smart and multifunctional biomaterial to deliver a new medical device in the form of a cardiac patch, to be applied to the heart to stimulate and support local heart tissue remodelling after episodes of myocardial infraction. The piezoelectric path will deliver anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and cardiomyocyte proliferative factors on demand, with drug release triggered by ultrasonic simulation from outside of the body.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the official video for the project, where Santorini Scientific is participating to help the 2 million people in Europe affected by heart disease every year. Take a look at how our consortium of European companies and universities is tacking myocardial infraction with innovative solutions.

New Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) in biosensors

Thu, 30 May 2024 13:18:59 GMT

Santorini Scientific Ltd and UWE Bristol announce new Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT): Accelerating development of a multi-sensor, multi-culture cell model for evaluation of heart transplant rejection to enable personalised treatment

Santorini Scientific Ltd. and UWE Bristol have been successful in securing grant funding from Innovate UK to form a new 3-month Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT). Heart transplant rejection affects more than 50% of transplant patients. The pioneering approach of this project is to develop a laboratory-based biological vascular model with sensors to monitor biological indicators of rejection, which addresses this critical challenge. Thus, through a greater understanding of relevant biological processes, personalised treatment will be improved, and new effective drugs developed.

Accelerated Knowledge Transfers are ‘designed to build an intensive partnership with a specialist academic team to deliver a short and targeted intervention to accelerate the evaluation or development of an innovation project.

The Health Technology Hub at UWE Bristol conducts leading research in the biosensing space. This project is led by Dr. Alex Yue, Head of Instrumentation at the Institute of Bio-Sensing Technology at UWE Bristol. Dr. Yue is an expert in sensor systems and instrumentation for medical applications. To support this project, research associates Dr. Tom Draper, a specialist in nanotechnology, molecular biology, and fluidic system design, and Dr. David Ferrier, an expert in biosensor technology, will be joining the team.

Innovate UK funds Project TVALAB

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 09:53:04 GMT

After a competitive process, project funding has been awarded by Innovate UK to Santorini Scientific for modelling rejection as a platform for future post-transplant therapies

Santorini Scientific has launched a new project to establish a proof-of-concept lab-based tool for the assessment of prevention of cardiac rejection. TVALAB will help develop a novel innovative T-cell therapy approach to manage post-transplant rejection and immunosuppression regime.

Using Santorini Scientific’s experience in advanced in vitro models and our database of rejection markers, a healthy heart model will be established and then challenged to depict a model of rejection. The responses will be monitored by measuring levels of biomarkers, which will bring novel insights into the mechanisms and behaviour of models to different therapies. Developing the model for the heart opens the possibility of screening and accelerating other treatments in the future of the heart and other organs.

After a competitive process, project funding has been awarded by Innovate UK through the Transformative Technologies Programme.

Successful delivery of this project is a stepping stone towards delivering T-cell therapy that can aid in reducing the clinical burden on the NHS whilst also saving thousands of pounds in the process and reducing the dependency on animal testing for researchers.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. We provide targeted sectors with expertise, facilities and funding to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth. Join our network and communities of innovators to realise the potential of your ideas and accelerate business growth. Innovate UK: inspiring business innovation .

Launching the Herts Healthcare Accelerator

Thu, 25 May 2023 10:13:13 GMT

Developing a model for analysing heart transplant patient data

The Herts Healthcare Accelerator programme is designed to support SMEs develop healthcare, biotech and MedTech innovations, including new potential products/services and/or allied technologies.

Santorini Scientific was selected through a competitive process to access support including funding, in-kind technical, commercial, creative consultancy, as well as 1:2:1 business mentoring from a range of industry and academic experts from the University of Hertfordshire.

The collaboration is based on a project which involves building a model for the analysis of heart transplant data from the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS).

AHSN IP Capture Grant

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:58:39 GMT

SSL secured AHSN Network Grant in Collaboration with the University of The West of England

The Health Tech Hub at the University of The West of England (UWE) expertise spans the disciplines of biochemistry, microbiology, materials analysis, biosensor development, cell system evaluation/monitoring and device prototyping.

Therefore, thanks to an AHSN Network Grant, UWE will be supporting Santorini Scientific (SSL) in effectively and efficiently recording knowhow and logging potential IP in these Biomedical fields, and then assessing the best protection strategies..

This IP capture programme will expedite SSL's commercial activity as well as help develop the already strong research partnership between UWE and SSL.

REBORN European Project Launch

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:18:16 GMT

Santorini Scientific is participating in a European scientific study funded by Horizon Europe to help the 2 million people in Europe affected by heart disease every year

Led by the University of Turin, SMEs, Universities and large companies, are collaborating on the REBORN project: Remodelling of the infarcted heart: Piezoelectric multifunctional patch enabling the sequential release of therapeutic factors.

Funding of 5M Euro is being provided by Horizon Europe, a European Union scientific research initiative funding research and innovation projects in fields from excellence in science to innovation.

Moving cardiac research to the next level

Over the next four years, the project aims to develop a patch to prevent heart failure in patients who have survived an acute myocardial infarction, whilst simultaneously developing an in vitro cardiac chamber for testing its effectiveness.

Founder of Santorini Scientific, Mike Adams, comments, “Cardiac disease remains a significant societal and healthcare burden that affects nearly 2 million European citizens annually and Santorini Scientific are proud to take part in a project which addresses such an important clinical need.

“We will be drawing on and developing the consortium’s expertise in 3D bioprinting in the cardiac field along with our experience in the regulatory field of CE mark planning to help ensure this groundbreaking project helps move cardiac research to the next level.”

Modelling the human ventricle in vitro

Myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when there is a sudden decrease or block of the blood supply to part of the heart muscle. This change in blood flow usually occurs by a blood clot; it prevents the tissue from receiving oxygen and results in cell death. As a consequence of cell death, structural and functional alterations occur in the tissue, leading to ventricular stiffness, the development of arrhythmias, and contributing to organ dysfunction.

Santorini Scientific’s first contribution to the project will be to identifying the cardiac functions required to be recapitulated by the advanced ‘in vitro model’. This will mimic the structural and physiological properties of a human ventricle as closely as possible, in order to accurately reflect how the patch would interact with a human heart.

The model will be 3D bioprinted using state-of-the-art bioprinting techniques which allow for greater cell density and higher levels of functionality than has ever been achieved before.

Overcoming current model limitations

The rationale of creating the heart chamber is to overcome the limitations of current models and develop an entirely new type of ‘in vitro’ model for the development of medical devices for cardiac applications. This will provide an alternative to animal models and achieve the Replacement objective of the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).

Additionally, in line with Santorini Scientific’s visions, project REBORN will advance and refine the technologies required to create a cardiac chamber, taking us one step closer to 3D Bioprinting a human heart.

Allowing heart transplant patients to live their lives to the fullest

Mike Adams, Santorini Scientific founder, explains, “We will be involved in the specification, commercialisation, and translation at TRL5 of the in vitro model, the point when the technology is validated in its environment.”

He adds, “The REBORN project will strengthen Santorini Scientific's knowledge of bioprinting of cardiac tissue and modelling diseased states of the heart, this is at the core of our mission to drive and implement medical advances which will allow heart transplant patients to live their lives to the fullest.”

Future developments

Santorini Scientific will also use its expertise in the regulatory field to contribute to having clear CE mark planning.

Results from the REBORN project will allow new products and business opportunities for the industry partners.

Images:

Stephanie Restivo, Research Scientist, Santorini Scientific (left) with Mike Adams, Director, Santorini Scientific at the kick off meeting for the REBORN project

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do notnecessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”

Unlocking the future of heart transplantation: Non-invasive Diagnostics

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:52:17 GMT

Non-invasive Diagnostics will reduce patients’ stress factors and infection risks

Heart transplantation is a highly intricate and critical treatment option for individuals suffering from advanced heart failure who have exhausted all other medical options. If the patient’s heart stops functioning properly and can’t effectively distribute the blood through the body, clinicians might decide to surgically remove and replace it with one from a carefully selected donor.

The field of heart transplantation is continually evolving, with patients in the UK experiencing an average survival rate of 14 years post-procedure , as of 2022.

Successful heart transplantation can greatly enhance a patient's quality of life by allowing them to engage in more physical activity, experience less fatigue, and even start a family. However, it is important to note that the procedure also comes with a range of potential complications, with the rejection of the heart being a common issue.

Rejection occurs when the body recognises the heart allograft as a foreign object and attacks it with an excessive immune reaction.

Currently, this process is monitored through invasive biopsies when a small piece of the transplanted tissue is regularly removed and histologically examined for signs of rejection.

These small surgeries are putting more stress on the patient’s body and can lead to further complications including vein damage or bleeding.

Furthermore, their diagnostics accuracy is disputable . Therefore, recognising the unmet clinical meet, we are developing a non-invasive, accurate and personalised diagnostics tool for heart transplant patients.

Proof of concept Machine Learning with University of The West of England

In a continuation of the KEEP+ programme funded by ERDF ( see our earlier blog ), the Santorini Scientific team in collaboration with the University of The West of England, recently completed the proof-of-concept stage of Machine Learning-based diagnostics to predict the rejection status of patients.

We have trained our model to analyse patients’ multimodal data while all of it can be measured non- or minimally- invasively, either through collecting standard clinical diagnosis or blood samples.

We used the power of Artificial Intelligence to analyse complex relationships present in the input data and based on that estimate the patient’s current rejection level with an accuracy of over 90%. Multiple techniques are being used to ensure the tool is trustworthy, reliable and suitable for the healthcare setting.

Next phase of the project towards a promising future

Our Machine Learning project is still in its infancy, yet we have an ambitious plan for its future. Our continuous discussions with clinicians and scientists help us stay on track with current medical needs.

Our company is currently preparing to extend the model training database and analyse data from multiple historical sources – medical records of heart transplant patients. Looking back at the patient’s past information will help us to look ahead and see how we can tackle complex data , so our tool can be used in UK hospitals soon.

We are also establishing connections to collect our own data to improve the model’s accuracy and progress towards a promising future.

SSL are purchasing a 3D Bioprinter

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 16:37:09 GMT

SSL is looking to purchase a 3D Bioprinter and technical support. Can you help? If so, please download and reply to our tender.

THIS TENDER HAS NOW EXPIRED

Santorini Scientific secure ERDF funding for a new Cardiac Diagnostics Project

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:47:21 GMT

Santorini Scientific secure ERDF for a new Cardiac Diagnostic Project

Santorini Scientific are excited to announce that we recently secured ERDF funding under the KEEP+ programme to work with the University of West England on a Cardiac Diagnostic Project.

Following a heart transplant, a patient’s immune system recognises the new organ as foreign and attempts to reject it.

If rejection occurs, it’s important to detect and monitor it so that treatment can be adjusted overtime. Currently, patients have to undergo an invasive biopsy where a tissue sample is removed from the heart and analysed. However, studies have found that biomarkers of rejection can also be found in the bloodstream.

Santorini Scientific aim to exploit these findings to create a non-invasive technique for measuring rejection and tailoring treatment accordingly.

Our KEEP+ Cardiac Diagnostics Project will determine the feasibility of developing a clinical decision support platform that will harness artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for monitoring rejection and personalising treatments in heart transplant medicine.

Working in collaboration with the University of the West of England, Santorini Scientific’s exciting new venture will propel forwards the field of precision medicine. If successful, this bold and innovative project will be a stepping-stone towards the individualisation of all medical treatments.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”

Santorini Scientific extend partnerships with internship at Imperial

Wed, 25 May 2022 13:26:29 GMT

Exploring TReg therapy to reduce pos t-transplant rejection

This summer, Santorini Scientific will be co-funding an internship with Imperial College London on Regulatory T-cell (TReg) therapy.

As the name suggests, TRegs are responsible for regulating immune responses therefore can be used to reduce autoimmune responses such as in cancer or, theoretically, rejection following a heart transplant.

Supporting trailblazing project at the University of Birmingham

Tue, 17 May 2022 13:26:28 GMT

Developing University of Birmingham postgraduate students

Santorini Scientific are taking part in the University of Birmingham’s Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Knowledge Exchange Pathway (KEP) Project.

We are currently working with five inter-disciplinary Masters students to develop our business and offering them the opportunity to experience working for a STEM company as their end of year project.

Find out more at: https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/student/graduateschool/pgt/pgt-knowledge-exchange-pathway-project.aspx

Santorini Scientific sponsor Heart-On-a-Chip PhD

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 14:43:48 GMT

Examining cardiac allograft vasculopathy

Santorini Scientific and UWE are co-funding a PhD on ‘biomarkers of cardiac rejection’.

The PhD was launched in January 2022 and Esther Atkinson has since focused specifically on biomarkers of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), a condition which causes narrowing of the arteries and affects more than one third of heart transplant patients.

The history of heart transplants – progress since 1967

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 16:43:42 GMT

The biggest problem for those who receive a donor heart is rejection

The world’s first successful human heart transplant took place in 1967. The name of the pioneering cardiac surgeon, Christiaan Barnard, is well known, and synonymous with the surgeon’s pioneering work in human-to-human heart transplants in South Africa.

Whilst the first patient sadly died after just 18 days, by the time he had carried out his sixth operation, he had introduced many enhancements, spurred on by his experience working under the direction of C. Walton Lillehei, recognised as an early open heart surgery pioneer, and his colleague Richard Varco. His sixth patient lived for almost 24 years post-transplant.

In the UK, the first heart transplant took place in 1968 whilst the first that was considered a long-term success, where the patient lived for five years post-transplant, took place in 1979.

Further advances in surgical techniques and equipment have meant that today median survival post heart transplant is around 10 years.

As well as improved surgical techniques, the medical profession now has better methods of organ preservation, are able to use tissue typing for matching, and advancements in antibiotics have led to reduced infections and immunotherapy.

Other significant advances have enabled heart removal from brain dead donors whilst they are still on a ventilator, meaning that transplantable hearts are in a better condition when it comes to the operation. Use of a ventricular assist device (VAD) as a ‘bridge to transplantation’ helps to keep the blood pumping from the ventricles to the rest of the body, an interim measure until a donor heart is available.

The rate of heart transplants worldwide has been growing slowly since 2011, and now stands at one per million population, with an estimated 8,311 carried out in 2018 . Slovenia and USA have the highest heart transplant figures , followed by Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia, Spain, Australia, and France.

However, only 179 heart transplants were carried out in the UK in 2020.

A shortage of donor organs remains a challenge. Consequently, waiting times continue to increase and can be beyond a year even for patients considered to have the most urgent illness.

A formal way to match donors with recipients and quickly share information on donors was established through the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in 1986, covering the USA.

In the UK, the NHS Organ Donor Register and National Transplant Register matches donors with people who need new organs. Important legislative changes took place in 2015 in Wales, 2020 in England, and 2021 in Scotland, meaning that organ donation in those countries now runs on an opt-out basis, with the aim of creating a significantly larger potential donor pool.

The biggest problem for those who receive a donor heart is rejection.

At Santorini Scientific, we aim to overcome the biggest challenges facing heart transplants by:

3D bioprinting the world’s first transplantable human heart
Achieving allograft tolerance post heart transplantation and minimising the need for immune suppressants
Developing a non-invasive technique for detecting allograft rejection.

Click here to read more about our research and our partners.

Find out more about organ donation in the UK and how to register your wishes for your organs at: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/transplantation-services/organ-donation-and-transplantation/

The University of Bristol Sponsors Biomarker Internship at SSL

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:43:44 GMT

Biomarkers are an important tool to help reduce rejection

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if doctors could treat patients as individuals, taking into account their genes, environment and lifestyle, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach?

This is referred to as precision medicine and is a rapidly growing field. In the field of heart transplants, precision medicine is important because it can improve patient care, post-transplant health, and post-transplant longevity.

Therefore, Santorini Scientific have lead an internship, funded by the University of Bristol, to explore the role of biomarkers of cardiac rejection in the field of precision medicine.

Biomarkers (shorthand for “biological marker”) are naturally occurring medical signs which can be used to identify how well someone’s body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. They are typically used as a tool for diagnosis and to evaluate clinical pathways.

They are usually split into two main types: exposure and disease, and four main characteristics: molecular, histologic, radiographic and physiologic.

Gene expression profiling (GEP) is a type of genomic biomarker can be used to profile peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and, as a recent research paper highlights “identify 11 differentially expressed genes and help with detection of moderate and severe acute cellular rejection in stable heart transplant recipients”.

The researchers add, “In recent years, the utilization of GEP of PBMC for identifying differentially expressed genes to diagnose acute antibody-mediated rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy has yielded promising results” [Khachatoorian, Khachadourian et al., 2021].

Further research published this year (2021) investigates “recent advances in the field of non-invasive biomarkers to detect allograft rejection after heart transplant”. Biomarkers could be used to measure level of rejection without requiring an invasive endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) which is the current preferred method for cardio allograft monitoring.

The researchers note that “Heart transplantation is the standard of care for end-stage heart failure refractory to medical therapy. Although significant strides have been made in long-term survival, graft dysfunction caused by acute rejection remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.” [Qian, Shah and Agbor-Enoh, 2021]

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) rates vary from 20-40%, report researchers Ludhwani, Abraham and Kanmanthareddy in a 2021 article.

They note “Nearly half of heart transplant recipients developing rejection after 7 years of transplantation have evidence of antibody-mediated rejection. The overall prevalence of CAV [cardiac allograft vasculopathy] increases with time. CAV is the leading cause of death between 1 and 3 years after transplantation. CAV accounts for 17% of death after 3 years.”

SSL collaborate with the University of Newcastle on Bioprinting Vision

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 13:26:23 GMT

Working towards improved tissue functionality

In 2020, the University of Newcastle applied for a ESPRC project with Santorini Scientific as one of their partners. This was secured in 2021 and finally launched in January 2022.

The project is developing a 3D Bioprinting Head which would allow biological cells to be 3D printed with greater density, thus enabling great tissue functionality. Santorini Scientific’s contribution means that the first cells trialled for this revolutionary new 3D bioprinting technique will be cardiac cells.

Find out more, watch the video below to see a time-lapse of the HL-1 cells.

Video credit: Babis Tzivelekis at Newcastle University