Research Could Use Synthetic Tissue to Perform Drug Tests

A study has produced a synthetic tissue, a hydrogel, which mimics the properties of mucosal tissues, such as those found in the mouth and stomach, to assess how medicines will react in the body.

A team of scientists has developed a new way to test the adhesive qualities of drugs under laboratory development, which could replace the current practice of using animal tissue.

The study, carried out at the University of Reading, has produced a synthetic tissue, a hydrogel, which mimics the properties of mucosal tissues, such as those found in the mouth and stomach, to assess how medicines will react in the body.

Mucosal tissues taken from animals are commonly used in the development phase of new drugs. Tablets that can attach to mucosal tissue extend the time the drugs remain in the body, reducing the frequency of dosing, and also offer the possibility of targeting particular parts of the body.