Matisse Bioscience combines AI and biology to study regenerative species and develop peptides for improving wound healing and reducing scar formation.
Super regenerators like axolotl salamanders provide valuable insights into regenerative medicine potential in humans and inspire therapeutic approaches for enhancing human regenerative abilities.
Deep dives
Matisse Bioscience: Using AI and Super Regenerators for Wound Healing
Matisse Bioscience was founded to harness the regenerative capabilities of super regenerators, such as the axolotl salamander, to improve human wound healing and skin care. They combine AI and biology to study the molecular mechanisms behind limb regeneration and scarless healing. The company has discovered peptides that enhance wound healing by increasing cell migration, reducing inflammation, and preventing scar formation. These peptides are being developed for topical treatments to improve skin healing. In the long term, Matisse aims to repurpose their findings for internal organ fibrosis treatment. They are currently refining their peptides and preparing for further testing in humans, with the goal of bringing a consumer product to market by 2024.
Super Regenerators and their Regenerative Abilities
Super regenerators, like the axolotl salamander, have the remarkable ability to regenerate entire limbs and various other body parts, such as the spinal cord, heart, brain, and more. They can regenerate functional, indistinguishable limbs from the amputated ones. While the exact molecular mechanisms of this regeneration are still being studied, these animals provide valuable insights into the potential for regenerative medicine in humans. Humans, in contrast, have limited regenerative abilities, but there are certain tissues, such as skin and gut lining, that can naturally regenerate to a certain extent. Understanding the regenerative abilities and molecular processes of super regenerators can inspire therapeutic approaches for enhancing human regenerative abilities.
Challenges and Approaches in Peptide Development
Matisse Bioscience focuses on developing peptides derived from regenerative species for wound healing applications. These peptides are synthesized in the lab and tested on human cells to assess their pro-regenerative and anti-scarring effects. The company employs a multi-omics approach, analyzing gene expression, epigenetic control, and translational information to identify key molecules involved in wound healing. Using AI algorithms, they correlate structural and genetic information with the outcomes of peptide testing to predict the effects of peptides on wound healing. This approach allows Matisse to identify peptides that can influence multiple aspects of the healing process, streamlining the development of potential treatments.
Future Prospects and Market Applications
While Matisse initially focuses on topical treatments for wound healing, their long-term vision extends to a broader range of regenerative medicine applications. The company aims to leverage their understanding of regenerative processes and the properties of peptides to address organ fibrosis and other complex conditions. By repurposing the peptides and conducting further studies, Matisse intends to develop treatments for internal organ fibrosis, a prevalent cause of mortality. In 2023, they plan to expand their lab capabilities, refine their peptide formulations, and conduct human trials to advance their goal of bringing regenerative skin products to market.
Scientists at Matice Biosciences are using AI to study the regeneration of tissues in animals known as super-regenerators, such as salamanders and planarians.
The goal of the research is to develop new treatments that will help humans heal from injuries without scarring.
On the latest episode of NVIDIA’s AI Podcast, host Noah Kravtiz spoke with Jessica Whited, a regenerative biologist at Harvard University and co-founder of Matice Biosciences.
https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2023/06/21/matice/
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