Establishment of a cell culture facility at Biogelx for the in-house validation and testing of Biogelx hydrogels

Biogelx develops and produces materials that mimic the internal environment of the body. These new materials support the growth of cells outside the body in a laboratory environment under more realistic conditions than traditional methods where cells are grown on plastic or glass. Using the Biogelx material allows researchers to study the cells response to test substances such as drugs or toxic agents under conditions that are more similar to the natural environment of the body which in certain circumstances can be used as a replacement to animal testing.

The Biogelx team is largely made up of scientists with a background in chemistry who specialize in the development of new materials. To improve their product and expand the services they offer to clients Biogelx need a laboratory facility suitable for growing cells. To set-up a laboratory to grow cells they require the knowledge of a scientist with a biology background who has expertise in this area.

This will ensure tests carried out on cells grown on the Biogelx material in the new laboratory facility will meet the appropriate standards and generate reliable results.

The secondee, Dr Fiona Murphy, has over 10-years' experience working as a biologist and carrying out both animal testing and experiments on cells grown in laboratory conditions. She is passionate about developing new approaches to conducting research which will reduce the numbers of animals used in biomedical testing while still providing reliable results.

The secondment with Biogelx provides Dr Murphy the opportunity to use her experience working as a biologist in a University laboratory to guide the establishment of the biology facility at Biogelx, giving her an insight into working in a commercial laboratory environment. In a series of test-runs of the new facility Dr Murphy will grow cells using the Biogelx platform to ensure the facility is operational up to the appropriate standards.

These test experiments will also produce some preliminary results important for Dr Murphy's own research goals.

The partnership between Biogelx and Dr Murphy from Heriot-Watt University will help the company to expand and grow and also increase the future career mobility of Dr Murphy through experience gained working in a commercial lab environment.