Locsense Company profile

Locsense was founded in 2015 as a spin-off company from the University of Twente. By providing impedance spectroscopy /TEER measuring equipment for in vitro testing, we help reduce and replace animal testing for drug development and cosmetics. Our products can be integrated into traditional cell culture platforms, such as microfluidic chips, organ chips or smart orifice plates, while being integrated into traditional workflows.

ABOUT THE LOCSENSE ARTEMIS IMPEDANCE/TEER DETECTOR

The Locsense Artemis is an automated, real-time impedance/TEER detector, providing an objective standard for the barrier integrity. Impedance/TEER measurements were never this easy. Monitor the barrier integrity, while the cell culture is located inside an incubator. The Artemis can be coupled to transwell plates with inserts and microfluidic chips.The Artemis software is intuitive, suitable for first-time users and in-depth analysis of impedance measurements.

Artemis combines intelligent sensing covers with calibration tools and computer detection software to form a high-precision impedance spectroscopy measurement instrument for advanced TEER detection in 2D and 3D cell cultures. The system consists of the following components:

Artemis Impedance spectroscopy /TEER detection system Features:

· No cross contamination

· No marks, non-destructive testing

· No vibration

· Reduce workload

· Accurate electrode position provides reliable results

· Compatible with standard cell culture cells

Locsense Artemis application 

Artemis is used for TEER detection and impedance spectroscopy, mainly in the field of cell biology, and Artemis is characterized by its intelligent workflow, sensitivity and flexibility. LocaSense offers a complete solution for quantitative cell barrier measurement. For example, it is used in 3D skin constructs, intestinal tissue and cardiomyocyte research.

1. Intestinal organoids

Artemis is used to study 2D organoids in the gut. Organoids are cultured in a conventional 12-well cell culture plug-in. Artemis was used to monitor organoid growth in the incubator over a period of approximately 3 weeks. The effect of food on intestinal hormone excretion was studied using this kind of organ intestinal model. Artemis performs TEER/ impedance measurements according to the following requirements:

· TEER detection of 12-well plates

· Adjustable fixed measurement interval

· Run for at least 3 weeks

· Adjustable flow rate in cell culture fluid circulation

· The flow rate can be adjusted periodically according to the TEER measurement results

2. Intestinal tissue model

TNO has developed a physiologically relevant intestinal tissue model called InTESTin Cell Barrier Chip (IBC). The IBC model allows the study of drug, biological and nutrient absorption and transport toxicity across the intestinal wall.

To monitor the barrier integrity of enteric IBC, TNO tested Artemis using a custom-designed 4-chip chip fixture. LocaSense supports real-time TEER measurement for TNO and develops semi-custom solutions for Artemis and chip fixtures.

3. Monitoring of 3D skin cell culture

In collaboration with the Medical Center of Radboud University, impedance measurement of barrier integrity in 3D skin cell cultures was achieved. Impedance measurements were made by connecting Artemis to a 24-hole smart sensing cover and NUNC transwell board. Cell culture changes that can be monitored using Artemis include:

· Barrier integrity of cell cultures

· Differences between skin cells of the three patients

· Effect of injury on skin cell culture

4. Intestinal organoids

Working with UMC Amsterdam on a 3D model derived from intestinal epithelial stem cells. The monolayer integrity of intestinal organoids in cell culture plug-in was studied by impedance spectroscopy. TEER (Transepithelial resistance) is a measure of the stage and integrity of monolayer development and is easily obtained from impedance spectroscopy. The advantages of Artemis for single-layer integrity measurement are reduced repeatability, increased reliability and time savings.

5. TEER monitoring of cardiomyocyte construction

The Saxony University of Applied Sciences used Artemis, which measures the activity of beating HiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). With the temporal resolution provided by ARTEMIS, it is possible to monitor the frequency of the contraction of the hiPSC CMs as well as the shape of the peak.

6. Monitoring of lung cells

The Biomaterials science and Technology group at the University of Twente used LocaSense Artemis to monitor the growth of lung cells on different types of membranes, which are manufactured in their own membranes with different pore sizes, and measured the results to obtain suitable pore sizes for cell cultures. The performance of the self-manufactured film is compared with that of the commercially available film.