Relevant and standardizable in vitro test systems
Friday 29th September, 2017, Regina Grillari & Matthias Wieser from Evercyte GmbH
Evercyte, an innovative biotechnology spin-out company from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, is focused on the establishment of human cell cultures that fulfill all conditions for the performance of state-of-the-art toxicity studies, drug screenings or developments as well as basic research.
The use of relevant in vitro test systems is of ever increasing importance. However, currently used models are afflicted with significant drawbacks. Although normal somatic cells maintain functions that are similar to the corresponding cells found in vivo, the application of these cells is limited due to their restricted life span. On the other hand, tumor cells can be grown indefinitely, but have lost many functions and features of the corresponding normal cells. Evercyte is tackling this problem by reactivation of telomerase in primary human cells, which leads to an extension of the replicative life span without changing essential cell type specific markers and functions. Thus, Evercyte cells are balanced in growth and differentiation, which allows the establishment of bioassays that are relevant and can be standardized. Besides offering a wide range of human telomerized cells from various tissues and organs, we also do customer tailored cell line development in a one-stop-solution from tissue sourcing to full characterization of the final cell line. Additionally, Evercyte has developed a protocol for isolation and growth of cells from urine-sediments that can be efficiently reprogrammed towards induced pluripotent stem cells. This technology gives us access to cell types that are not difficult to obtain from tissue samples.
The CAAT academy brings together experts in the various fields and allows an intense exchange of knowledge and expertise. New ideas are generated and cooperation’s are set up, which further boosts the replacement of animal testings and the 3R principle.