
AbstractAbout two decades ago, West and coworkers established a model which predicts that metabolic rate follows a three quarter power relationship with the mass of an organism, based on the premise that tissues are supplied nutrients through a fractal distribution network. Quarter power scaling is widely considered a universal law of biology and it is generally accepted that were in-vitro cultures to obey allometric metabolic scaling, they would have more predictive potential and could, for instance, provide a viable substitute for animals in research. This paper outlines a theoretical and computational framework for establishing quarter power scaling in three-dimensional spherical constructs in-vitro, starting where fractal distribution ends. Allometric scaling in non-vascular spherical tissue constructs was assessed using models of Michaelis Menten oxygen consumption and diffusion. The models demonstrate that physiological scaling is maintained when about 5 to 60% of the construct is exposed to oxygen concentrations less than the Michaelis Menten constant, with a significant concentration gradient in the sphere. The results have important implications for the design of downscaled in-vitro systems with physiological relevance.
Multidisciplinary, Quantitative Biology - Tissues and Organs, Cell Count, Models, Biological, Article, Kinetics, Eukaryotic Cells, Fractals, Oxygen Consumption, Spheroids, Cellular, FOS: Biological sciences, Animals, Energy Metabolism, Tissues and Organs (q-bio.TO), Cells, Cultured
Multidisciplinary, Quantitative Biology - Tissues and Organs, Cell Count, Models, Biological, Article, Kinetics, Eukaryotic Cells, Fractals, Oxygen Consumption, Spheroids, Cellular, FOS: Biological sciences, Animals, Energy Metabolism, Tissues and Organs (q-bio.TO), Cells, Cultured
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| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
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