Microscaffolds
Scientists have presented a new technology of tissue engineering
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
The development of Austrian scientists combines the advantages of existing methods for the formation of tissues, complementing them with important technological solutions. The first experiments showed that the new approach promotes the formation of a single tissue with a flexible structure. In the future, it is planned to be used in minimally invasive surgery by injection.
The methods that exist so far can be divided into two fundamentally different approaches: first, small cell agglomerations are created for subsequent "assembly", or first a porous base is formed, which is then gradually cultivated by cells. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Now scientists from The Vienna Technical University proposed a third option, combining better solutions of the first two.
Researchers have shown that with the help of special 3D laser printing technology, it is possible to produce micro-frames with a diameter of less than a third of a millimeter, which are capable of interfering with thousands of cells. Thus, from the very beginning there is a high density of cells, but at the same time the necessary flexibility is preserved, allowing to adapt the shape and mechanical properties of the structure, the authors explain.
Soft or hard, as necessary, the frame consists of biocompatible materials that decompose in the body. In addition, they can be equipped with special molecules that contribute to the formation of tissue.
"Cage-filled frameworks are relatively easy to handle. When they come into direct contact, it is possible to create large tissue structures with a high initial cell density in a short time, while simultaneously controlling the mechanical properties of the structure," commented Alexander Ovsyanikov, the head of the work.
Testing of the technology demonstrated its functionality: the stem cells merged together and the actual ones formed a single tissue of the desired shape.
Article by Guillaume et al. Hybrid spheroid microscaffolds as modular tissue units to build macro-tissue assemblies for tissue engineering is published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia – VM.
Now scientists need to conduct a series of experiments to achieve strictly controlled conditions for the creation of tissue. In the future, they plan to adapt the technology for injection into the body using minimally invasive surgery.
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