Overview

In April 2007 the Centre for Alternative and Complementary Methods to Animal Testing (zet) founded the zet-Life Science Laboratory (zet-LSL) within the offices of the Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR).

The major task of the Life Science Laboratory is the research, dissemination as well as the validation of in vitro technologies. Apart from cell culture in monolayers, we focus on the establishment of three dimensional reconstructed organ models generally produced with human cells. Three dimensional cell culture systems have the advantage over two dimensional systems that they mimic native tissue more closely. The in vitro systems find their application in the research and development process of bioactive compounds as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, medical devices, etc. offering less time consuming, less expensive test opportunities.

We have established models from skin, intestine, lung and liver. They are complemented by an in vitro integrated organ system. Systems and their physiological reactions to different compounds and surfaces are analyzed by biochemical and molecular biological means.