Optical measurement of 3D collagen gel constructs by elastic scattering spectroscopy

Summary form only given. Analysis of the formation and organisation of new connective tissue formed in tissue-engineered constructs is a major requirement for tissue bioreactor technology. We have analysed early stage responses in collagen lattices using elastic scattering spectroscopy to assess its potential to monitor tissue structural changes in structures up to 3 mm thick, under normal culture conditions. optical system (medOptica TM) is based on the principle that elastically scattered light carries information about structure, density, composition and architecture of a tissue. For all three mechanical conditions imposed to the lattices (i.e. (1) relaxed untethered, (2) restrained tethered/released and (3) tethered under the Culture Force Monitor (CFM)), correlation could be found between changes in the spectral signatures and changes in the collagen gels. Measurements of the influence of isolated factors (e.g. cell concentration, gel thickness etc.) on the spectral signatures have been used to generate a hypothesis of how matrix alters during fibroblasts mediated lattice remodelling to influence scatter. Further work is needed before the key biological events may be correlated with specific areas of the composite spectral signatures observed but results indicate that elastic scattering spectroscopy will be an effective tool in monitoring tissue engineered constructs or early repair in collagenous tissues. Acknowledgements: This study has been supported by the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission, "Biomechanical Interactions in Tissue Engineering and Surgical Repair (BITES)".