MechanoCulture TR
Hydrostatic Pressure Stimulation System
- Cyclic hydrostatic compression up to 0.5 Hz
- 9 individual wells
- Up to 500kPa hydrostatic pressure stimulation
- Sterile sealed well plate design
- PC-independent incubator operation
- Autoclavable culture-contacting components
Hydrostatic Pressure Bioreactor for Hydrostatic Compression Stimulation
The MechanoCulture TR (MCTR) is a hydrostatic pressure stimulation system designed for mechanobiology and tissue engineering experiments where hydrostatic compression cues are applied through culture media. It programs pressure profiles up to 500kPa across nine individual wells, enabling parallel studies with repeatable hydrostatic pressure stimulation and controlled duty cycles.
The platform is commonly selected for pressure stimulation mechanobiology studies that require repeatable pressure regimens across multiple specimens. It is also widely used as a mechanotransduction bioreactor, supporting hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction protocols with cyclic and intermittent sequences where compression is applied via hydrostatic pressure.
What MechanoCulture TR is designed for
- Hydrostatic compression regimens where pressure is the stimulus and mechanobiology outcomes are the readout
- Parallel studies that benefit from a 9-well hydrostatic pressure stimulation system workflow
- Incubator-based experiments where a hydrostatic pressure bioreactor runs PC-independent after programming
- Multi-phase protocols that combine pressurization, holds, recovery, and rest to probe hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction
Typical experimental environments
- Long-duration conditioning regimens used in hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction studies, including daily loading blocks over multi-week culture (for example, 1h per day protocols).
- Incubator-based hydrostatic pressure bioreactor workflows (commonly 37°C, and in some studies hypoxic culture).
- Short, acute pressure stimulation mechanobiology experiments using cyclic or step pressure profiles (minutes to hours) to probe signaling and phenotype shifts.
- Pressure or compression loading combined with controlled environment features, including sealed chambers connected to controlled compressed air.
What’s included with the MCTR
- Pressure regulator control box
- Programming and data download software (lifetime license)
- Reusable sealed well plate
- 10 sealing membranes, 3 sealing O-rings
- 12-month warranty
- Remote installation and training support
Specifications
| Dimensions | 14 x 14 x 9 cm |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Stimulation mode | Hydrostatic pressure |
| Autoclavable components | Yes |
| Number of wells | 9 |
| Specimen dimensions | up to 20 mm diameter/width |
| Maximum pressure | 500 kPa |
| Maximum cycle frequency | 0.5 Hz |
| External compressed air required? | Yes |
MCTR Mechanical Stimulation Capabilities
The MechanoCulture TR is a hydrostatic pressure stimulation system built for programmable pressure regimens. It supports cyclic hydrostatic compression dosing, intermittent duty cycles, and multi-phase sequences that are commonly used in hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction and pressure stimulation mechanobiology studies.
Hydrostatic Pressure Stimulation
With MechanoCulture TR: Hydrostatic pressure stimulation delivered through media in 9 sealed wells, creating repeatable hydrostatic compression at the specimen surface.
Use case: Hydrostatic compression is widely used to study mechanotransduction in 3D cultures where uniform compressive cues are preferred over direct contact compression.
Example specimens: cell-laden hydrogels, cartilage-like constructs, 3D matrices, tissue mimetics.
- Related Research Applications:
- Mechanotransduction
- Hydrogel Mechanical Testing
Cyclic Hydrostatic Compression and Duty Cycle Control
With MechanoCulture TR: Cyclic hydrostatic compression stimulation up to 0.5 Hz, with programmable cycle counts and rest intervals.
Use case: Many pressure stimulation mechanobiology responses are sensitive to frequency and duty cycle. Repeatable cyclic stimulation supports better comparisons across cohorts and conditions.
Example specimens: engineered tissues, hydrogel constructs, tissue mimetic systems.
- Related Research Applications:
- Fibrosis & Tissue Remodeling
- Stem Cell Mechanobiology
Intermittent and Multi-Phase Hydrostatic Compression Stimulation
With MechanoCulture TR: Multi-phase sequences that combine pressurization ramps, holds, recovery, and rest phases to control hydrostatic compression stimulation dosing.
Use case: Intermittent protocols help separate immediate time-dependent effects from longer-term cellular adaptation, which is central to hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction.
Example specimens: cartilage-inspired constructs, hydrogel cylinders, 3D printed scaffolds.
- Related Research Applications:
- Cartilage & Meniscus Mechanics
- Intervertebral Disc Biomechanics
Incubator-Based Hydrated Culture Workflows
With MechanoCulture TR: A hydrostatic compression bioreactor workflow designed for incubator operation with sealed wells and hydrated specimens.
Use case. Incubator execution supports stable conditions for hydrostatic pressure stimulation and consistent mechanotransduction dosing.
Example specimens: cell-laden hydrogels, organoid-scale constructs, tissue mimetic constructs.
- Related Research Applications:
- Organoid & Tissue Mimetic Systems
- Cell Laden Hydrogels
How the MCTR Compression Bioreactor Works
This hydrostatic pressure stimulation system delivers compression stimulation by transmitting pressure through media in each well. Specimens are submerged in culture media, and a flexible membrane separates the pressure chamber from the sterile culture space.
This approach is well suited for hydrostatic pressure mechanotransduction studies and pressure stimulation mechanobiology experiments where cyclic hydrostatic compression stimulation is the input and biological response is the output.
- Membrane-mediated hydrostatic compression
- Pressure input vs specimen environment
Protocol Programming and PC-Independent Operation
The MCTR uses dedicated programming software built specifically for the hydrostatic compression bioreactor. Protocols are defined on a PC, uploaded to the controller, and executed inside an incubator. This supports long-duration studies where the hydrostatic pressure stimulation system runs PC-independent.
- Protocol structure and multi-phase regimens
- Data download and documentation
Sterile Workflow and Autoclavable Culture Components
The sealed well plate design supports sterile handling during long incubator runs. Culture-contacting components are made from autoclavable materials, enabling sterilization between studies.
- Practical sterility guidance
- Membranes, O-rings, and consumables
Software: Protocol Programming
The MechanoCulture TR uses dedicated protocol programming and data download software. Protocols are downloaded to the controller for PC-independent incubator operation. After a run, data showing the pressure applied over time is downloaded for review and record keeping.
- Protocol programming
- Data exporting
Research Applications Supported
The MCTR is often used as a mechanotransduction bioreactor for pressure stimulation mechanobiology in culture. Here are some other common research applications.
- Tissue Engineering & Soft Tissue Biomechanics
- Biomaterials and Advanced Materials
- Mechanobiology and Bioelectronics
Comments From The Field
“We’re able to take cells out of the intervertebral disc, grow them in the lab, apply controlled mechanical loading, and ask how the cell responds at a cellular level.”
Cheryle Séguin
PhD. Professor, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada.
“A versatile and cost-effective bioreactor… with intuitive software and responsive support.”
Brian Amsden
PhD. Professor & Associate Vice-Principal of Research, Donald and Joan McGeachy Chair in Biomedical Engineering, Queen’s University, Canada.
MCTR Videos
5:30
3:29
MechanoCulture TR (MCTR) Compression Bioreactor Demonstration
Demonstration of the MechanoCulture TR compression bioreactor for parallel mechanical stimulation of tissue cultures.
Other MechanoCulture Systems
MechanoCulture J1
MechanoCulture TX
MechanoCulture T6
FAQs About the MCTR Bioreactor
What is the MCTR designed for?
The MCTR is designed for hydrostatic pressure stimulation of samples in a sterile culture environment. It is best suited for workflows where researchers want to expose constructs or biomaterials to controlled pressure loading rather than direct gripping or platen-based compression.
What sample types can the MCTR be used for?
The MCTR is suited for tissues, constructs, scaffolds, and biomaterial samples up to 20 mm diameter or width that benefit from hydrostatic pressure stimulation in fluid.
How many samples can the MCTR run at one time?
The MCTR can stimulate up to 9 specimens in individual wells. This makes it the highest-throughput hydrostatic system in the MechanoCulture lineup.
What loading mode does the MCTR use?
The MCTR uses hydrostatic pressure stimulation, with programmable pressure up to 500 kPa and a maximum cycle frequency of 0.5 Hz.
Does the MCTR run inside an incubator while connected to a PC?
No. The MCTR is designed for PC-independent operation inside an incubator. The USB connection is used to program test protocols and access data, but it does not need to remain connected while the test is running.
Are the chambers and sample-contacting parts sterilizable?
Yes. The MCTR is built for sterile culture workflows; cleaning and sterilization of the system components are part of normal use. The specimen chamber plate is sterilizable and suitable for long-term cell and tissue culture in an incubator.
How is the MCTR different from the other MechanoCulture systems?
The MCTR is the MechanoCulture platform for hydrostatic pressure stimulation. In contrast, the MCJ1 and MCT6 are tension stimulation systems, while the MCTX is designed for uniaxial compression stimulation. The MCTR is the right fit when the biological question depends on pressure-based loading rather than tensile or compressive contact.
Can the MCTR be configured for media flow or custom workflows?
Yes. The fluid ports can be attached to a pump system to circulate or flow media through the specimen wells, and the product family also supports custom solutions when needed.
Talk to an Applications Specialist
If you share your specimen type and desired outcomes, we will recommend a bioreactor model, configuration, and protocol approach aligned to your research goals.
