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Artificial tooth germ of human stem cells

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20190502002
Publication Date: 20 January 2020

Summary

A German university has developed an artificial tooth germ that is able to induce tooth growth and can be used as in vivo transplant or in vitro test system. Its team is interested in the further development of the technology in the framework of a research cooperation or a license agreement.

Description

In case of a tooth loss, there are several techniques available for artificially replacing the tooth. However, most of these tooth replacement techniques require a severe surgical intervention. Moreover, most of these artificial implants do not fulfill all the physiological requirements a normal tooth should have. Thus there is a need for easily available, physiologically and long lasting transplants.

A Berlin-based German university has developed a method for the ex vivo development of a functional, three dimensional tooth germ. The germ is cultivated from human adult stem cells without using any substrate or growth factors. Cultivation is carried out in culture dishes with a flat bottom and without attaching the cells to the walls of the dish. According to the method stem cells are co-cultured with endothelial cells. Here the ratio between both cell types is important for an optimal formation and an optimal growth of the tooth germ. The tooth germ should be able to induce tooth growth in vitro and in vivo. The development includes an application system for the correct upright positioning of the germ transplant during surgery.
This three-dimensional in vitro organoid can be used as an in vivo transplant or as an in vitro test system.

The university is interested in a cooperation in the framework of a license agreement or a research cooperation agreement. A future licensee would have the authorization to use the technology in return for a fee or a share of royalties. The University is also open to a research cooperation agreement which leads to further development of the technology.

Advantages and Innovations

- Adult human stem cells can be obtained easily and in sufficient amounts
- Less effort when growing stem cells in mono culture
- Simplified organ production due to a substrate free organoid development (xenogeneic free cell culture)

Stage Of Development

Under development/lab tested

Requested partner

The university is looking for partners from the life science sector with a focus on regenerative medicine for the further development of the technology. They offer a cooperation in the framework of a research cooperation agreement where both partners (e.g. industry, SME or research organisation) would cooperate on the further research and development of the process.

Another way of cooperation would be the transfer of rights involving the authorization to use the technology to a licensee (e.g. industry, SME or research organisation) who could develop a product which is ready to the market.

Cooperation offer is closed for requests