Applications

TransMed Research has a great flexibility in developing new protocols and assays specifically tailored for each compound in development, always referring to the respective “gold standard”. We have a number of cell culture models, including cell lines and primary cultures also based on stem cells, and established protocols to investigate cell survival, proliferation, neural and glial differentiation, and related pathways. By mean of cell-based high content analysis we test compounds on proliferation, differentiation, cell death, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, cell cycle, etc. We use and develop animal models also to study new formulations, combinatory medicines and innovative drug delivery strategies. We use video-recording as raw-data and computerized video-tracking for the analysis of specific behaviors including learning and memory, motor activity, coordination and gait, sensitivity to mechanic and thermal stimuli.

Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19885864

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22012593

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22001322

DRUG REPURPOSING
Drug repurposing (or repositioning) is an area of growing interest and effort within the life sciences sector since it allows to find new uses for existing drugs through shorter and cost-effective paths. Leveraging on the availability of clinical safety, toxicology and efficacy data, drug repurposing is becoming a core R&D strategy for many companies that see an opportunity to create value and new sources of revenue.

TMR offers different drug repurposing approaches to pharmaceutical and biotech companies in order to reinvestigating marketed drugs, clinical and/or pre-clinical candidate and compounds that can target diseases other than those for which they were originally intended.
We can start with a specific compound and search for its possible new targets/indications or we can start from libraries of hundreds of compounds and screen for relevant pathways and cell phenotypes. Our platform involves:

• • High Content Screening (HCS) and in vitro toxicology
• • Transcriptome analysis on different pathways, systems and organs
• • In vivo phenotypic/efficacy screening and toxicology (mouse and rats)

A successful case history: repositioning the Thyroid Hormone in neuroinflammation and myelin repair:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26140723
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22007951
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21707794
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19578096
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19720126
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15850672
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15534218
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15450085
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11867745

“Materials” are indicated as a “Key Technology” for the next future in Biomedical Sciences. TransMed Research is actively working in development and characterization of new materials for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and in safety issues. We participate in design, development and in vitro and in vivo test of new scaffolds for regenerative medicine, for in situ tissue medication by “smart materials”, for the development of 3D culture systems as “replacement” opportunity, for new cell-based diagnostic materials, and for development of neural-silicon interface devices. TransMed Research is also working in the development and validation of GLP SOPs for in vitro and in vivo toxicology of new materials.

In vitro systems
We test new material for efficacy and safety, also in view of diagnostic purposes. We grow neural and non-neural cells on micro- and nano-patterned substrates, to determine survival, maturation, network orientation, biological properties. We test toxicity and efficacy of nanoparticle and nanoparticle-conjugated molecules, to establish biological effects and toxicity profile.
Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21518668

Regenerative medicine
We test new biomimetic materials for efficacy, safety and drug delivery, focusing on nervous system repair. We implant materials in disease and lesion animal models, to test biocompatibility, degradability, functional and anatomical outcomes. We are working to reach specific biological effects, like inflammation and scar reduction, axonal regrowth and redirection, neuron protection.
Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23954537

The use of physical energies to control physiology and re-balance pathological states is an attractive perspective now facing a new era. Brain and spinal cord are targets for electroceutical, due to the electrical properties of the nervous tissue. However, a number of issues need to be properly addressed for the full approval of these emerging therapies, including safety, side-effects, dosages, mechanism of action. TransMed Research has extensive experience for in vitro and in vivo testing of electromedical instruments based on electric current, electromagnetic field, radiofrequency, laser light.

In Vitro
We test the effect of exposure to physical energies of different in vitro systems, including primary neural cultures and neural stem cells. We measure toxicity, mitochondrial activity, morphological phenotype and cytoskeleton arrangement, and we test neuroprotection/detrimental effects also in the presence of chemical co-factors
Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19368718
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19479910
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19429115

In Vivo
We test the effect of exposure to physical energies of different in vitro systems, including primary neural cultures and neural stem cells. We measure toxicity, mitochondrial activity, morphological phenotype and cytoskeleton arrangement, and we test neuroprotection/detrimental effects also in the presence of chemical co-factors
Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19560793
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15573690

Stem cells technologies and their potential medical applications represent the new frontiers for the biomedical field.

TransMed Research has a long experience in stem cell technologies, from embryonic to neural and mesenchymal stem cells, to test drugs and materials, to improve regenerative processes, to characterized human autologous stem cells. Research and development in stem cell field need to be extremely rigorous and close to the regulatory agency rules.
Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22012593
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19720126
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20609110

Cell therapies and regenerative medicine
Cell therapies for neurological diseases and regenerative medicine for acute brain and spinal cord injury are new frontiers. TMR is deeply involved in this field, focusing on specific targets: recruitment of endogenous neural stem cells and precursor for brain repair through pharmacological and functional interventions; prepare implantable cell-scaffold devices; develop artificial “niche” per in vitro studies We aim to improve remvelination; to limit secondary lesions in traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and in vascular brain lesion; to slow-down neurodegeneration in chronic disease.
Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20609110
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19720126
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19578096
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15450085
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12777625
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11867745