DocWire News Editors

DocwireNews

A team of University of Bristol chemists has recently developed a tissue-like material that is capable of synchronized beating when heated and cooled. Published in Nature Materials and funded by NSERC Canada and EU Horizon 2020 grants, this study marks the first chemically programmed approach at creating artificial tissues. These findings could indicate future use of chemically programmed synthetic tissues in treatment of defective living tissue and curing diseases, an achievement that would have large-scale applications in healthcare.Researchers have been pursuing the development of artificial tissue that can mimic cell functions such as beating and detoxification for years, and this advancement from the University of Bristol marks a milestone in achieving this goal. Research labs that need to conduct studies on human cell and tissue may order live cell/tissue samples from sites like <a href="https://lnhlifesciences.org/stellate-cells">https://lnhlifesciences.org/stellate-cells</a>.Led by Professor Stephen Mann FRS and Dr. Pierangelo Gobbo from Bristol&rsquo;s School of Chemistry, the team manufactured chemically programmed synthetic cells called protocells that interact and communicate with one another in a coordinated fashion. The team created two types of artificial cells, each with a protein-polymer membrane and complementary surface anchoring groups. The team then coalesced a mixture of adhesive cells into chemically-linked masses to yield self-sufficient synthetic tissue clusters. A contractile polymer capable of expanding and contracting as temperature was adjusted higher or lower than 37 &#8304;C was coupled with this artificial cell matrix to allow the synthetic tissue to sustain rhythmic oscillations in size.<a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/docwire-pick/future-of-medicine-picks/artificial-pancreas-found-to-outperform-traditional-insulin-pumps-in-diabetes-management/">READ: &lsquo;Artificial Pancreas&rsquo; Found to Outperform Traditional Insulin Pumps in Diabetes Management</a>Artificial tissue functionality was increased by isolating enzymes with their component artificial cells. Varying enzyme combination, the researchers were able to modify the amplitude of the beating and regulate chemical signal movement in and out of the synthetic tissues.<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dCoFMDykR8M" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 
&ldquo;Our approach to the rational design and fabrication of prototissues bridges an important gap in bottom-up synthetic biology and should also contribute to the development of new bioinspired materials that work at the interface between living tissues and their synthetic counterparts,&rdquo; stated Professor Stephen Mann FRS, author of the study.In the abstract of their publication, the authors note that their research aimed to address the lack of coordinated activity between artificially created cells. Though several synthetic cell-like structures have been created, none have been able to integrate intercellular interaction in a synthetic tissue format.<a href="https://proddocwire.wpengine.com/future-of-medicine/ending-transplant-shortages-with-3d-printed-lungs/">READ: Ending Transplant Shortages with 3D Printed Lungs</a>Touching on this breakthrough, study co-leader Dr. Pierangelo Gobbo said: &ldquo;Our methodology opens up a route from the synthetic construction of individual protocells to the co-assembly and spatial integration of multi-protocellular structures. In this way, we can combine the specialization of individual protocell types with the collective properties of the ensemble.&rdquo;<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Sticky protocells join forces in prototissue beating &ndash; lastest research from Steve Mann&rsquo;s group published in <a href="https://twitter.com/NatureMaterials?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatureMaterials</a> <a href="https://t.co/civFJOohAu">https://t.co/civFJOohAu</a>
&mdash; Bristol Chemistry (@BristolChem) <a href="https://twitter.com/BristolChem/status/1049318272582254594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a>
</blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Sources: <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-018-0183-5">Nature Materials</a>, <a href="http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2018/october/synthetic-prototissue.html">Bristol</a>

Jeffrey Perl, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

Thoughts From the 2025 Lazarus Award Winner

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Brandon Twyford

DESTINY-Breast09 Demonstrates First-Line Superiority of Enhertu Plus Pertuzumab in HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

HER2 Breast Cancer

Trodelvy Plus Keytruda Significantly Improves Progression-Free Survival in PD-L1+ mTNBC, Phase III Data Show

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Latest News

Researchers Develop Artificial Tissue Capable of Synchronized Beating

Future of Medicine

A team of University of Bristol chemists has recently developed a tissue-like material that is capable of synchronized beating when heated and cooled. Published in Nature ...

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HR Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe