Biomaterials Science Blog

The cerebellum is a region in the brain responsible for regulating motor control and cognitive functions such as attention and language. During development of the cerebellum (and of other tissues), cells interact with the surrounding microenvironment known as the extracellular matrix (ECM). These neuron-ECM interactions regulate neuronal differentiation, growth, formation of synapses, and neurite outgrowth. […]

Engineering tissue mimics in vitro using cells and materials is one of the core goals of biomaterials science. To develop a tailored cell culture environment, natural and/or synthetic hydrogels are used to mimic the extracellular matrix. Cells are embedded in a hydrogel matrix in a process known as “encapsulation.” During encapsulation, polymers in solution are […]

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease causes 17.3 million deaths worldwide, with projections reaching 23.3 million deaths by the year 2030. Unfortunately, heart attack patients still have limited therapeutic options, commonly relying on left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and heart transplantation. To provide more modern therapies, physicians have turned to tissue engineers to […]

Most biological organisms depend on electrical signals to function properly. For instance, neurons are electrically active cells that transmit signals to other neurons using electrical signals known as action potentials. Other electrically active cells such as cardiomyocytes in the heart spontaneously generate electrical signals that regulate normal heart rhythm. Additionally, electrical signals are also known […]

One of the goals of tissue engineers is to manufacture “spare body parts” made of cells and biomaterials to repair damaged or diseased tissues. A current challenge for commercializing cell-biomaterial constructs is maintaining their viability during shipping and/or storage. The storage of cells in liquid suspension is relatively simple with the use of common cryoprotectants […]