Why Researchers Choose MERA
Mera™ enables preclinical immunotherapy testing through physiologically relevant modelling of human immune-cell dynamics.
As a flow-based immunology platform, Mera™ replicates human 3D tissue-immune dynamics to better predict treatment response by:
Combining real-time imaging with downstream assays such as flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine analysis, and functional tissue assessments, Mera™ delivers a deeper understanding of therapeutic efficacy, mechanism of action, and potential toxicity in physiologically relevant models.
Cell Health & Viability
Immune Function
Molecular Analysis
Tissue Function
Real-time Monitoring
Safety & Toxicology
HepG2
DU145
A549
C33a
FaDu
CHO
Cardiomyocytes
GabaNeurons
GlutaNeurons
Primary Human Hepatocytes
GlutaNeurons
Astrocytes
Cardiomyocytes
Fibroblasts
Raji-Null B cells
T-cells
PBMCs
At Hooke Bio, we work closely with our clients to design and deliver scientifically robust studies using the Mera™ microphysiological system. Whether you are evaluating immunotherapies, biologics, advanced therapeutics, or safety liabilities, our team provides end-to-end support to generate meaningful, human-relevant data.
Every drug development programme is unique. Our custom study service allowsclients to tailor experimental design, cell models, endpoints, and workflows to address specific scientific questions. Studies can be designed around efficacy, mechanism of action, immune function, safety, toxicity, or translational research objectives, using a range of 3D tissue models and advanced analytical readouts.
Our scientific team works collaboratively with clients to develop study protocols aligned with project goals and regulatory requirements. Expert guidance on model selection, protocol development, assay optimisation, and endpoint strategy to ensure studies deliver meaningful and actionable results.
Mera™ generates a broad range of functional, imaging, molecular, and immunological readouts. Comprehensive reporting packages including imaging, molecular, functional, and immunological data, supported by detailed analysis and scientific interpretation.
Specialist support in advanced in vitro models, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), translational research, and preclinical testing strategies to accelerate innovation and improve decision-making. Through a combination of advanced technology, scientific expertise, and collaborative project support, Mera™ enables researchers to generate high-quality data that bridges the gap between traditional in vitro testing and human biology.
Lead Optimisation
Compare candidates, refine potency, selectivity & safety
Preclinical Testing
Our main focus
Transalational
Biomarker discovery, patient stratification, ex vivo response prediction
A human-relevant flow-based platform delivering actionable data through the drug development journey
Human-relevant microenvironments
Dynamic flow for physiological realism
Immune-tumour interactions
Actionable insights at every stage
Mera is cell-agnostic and has been validated across more than 13 cell types in-house. The system supports 3D microtissues like primary tissue-derived organoids, including cardiac, neural, and hepatic, tumour-derived spheroids and tumoroids from cancer models such as cervical, colorectal, and prostate, as well as circulating immune cells, including T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.
The Mera system is modular and scalable, allowing a single unit to run at least 160 microtissues simultaneously.
Mera is a fully automated microphysiological system with unidirectional recirculating physiological fluid flow, precise feeding and dosing flow control, scalable throughput, and onboard automated fluorescence and brightfield imaging. Of these, the dynamic fluid flow system is one of our key differentiators.
Dynamic fluid flow enables continuous nutrient exchange and promotes physiologically relevant immune cell trafficking and tissue exposure, helping mimic aspects of human circulation that are absent in static culture systems.
Yes. Mera is designed to support multiple organ types within the same fluid path, enabling inter-tissue communication that closely mimics the complexity of the human body- including the dynamic interaction between organ systems and immune cells.
Mera’s Bio consumable Plate is built to the SBS/ANSI standard format, making it broadly compatible with established assay workflows and allowing researchers to leverage existing protocols without starting from scratch.
Beyond that, Mera’s onboard fluorescence and brightfield microscope adds a powerful layer of capability, enabling live cell imaging, viability analysis, and morphological assessment in real time. Circulating cells and 3D microtissues, as well as cell culture supernatants, can be collected for downstream analysis, including flow cytometry, cytokine analysis and microscopy etc.
Mera combines automated fluidics, environmental control, and integrated imaging in a scalable format designed for higher throughput and operational simplicity. Unlike many low-throughput chip systems, Mera is engineered to support larger experimental runs with reduced manual intervention.
Yes. Mera is specifically designed to maintain viable 3D tissues over extended experimental timelines through automated perfusion and environmental regulation.
Yes, Mera’s bio consumable plate is compatible with extracellular matrix materials and hydrogels like collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc., enabling the recreation of tissue-specific microenvironments that more closely replicate in vivo conditions. Contact our scientific specialists for more information.
Yes. Clients can provide: Proprietary compounds, Patient-derived material, Custom tissue models, Specialised reagents.
Beyond accommodating what you bring, our scientific team can create and validate bespoke tissue models tailored to your specific research objectives. Whether you are exploring a novel therapeutic target, modelling a disease state, or stress-testing a compound pipeline, we draw on deep in-house expertise to build a study that generates the most meaningful data for your programme.
Study timelines vary depending on complexity, tissue type, assay duration, and analytical requirements. Our scientific team can help you evaluate timelines based on study requirements.
We are seeking strategic partnerships and collaborations with pharma and biotech companies to further advance our technology.
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