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Canadian scientists create 3D beating heart chip
18 Feb
Summary
- Scientists engineered heart tissue that beats autonomously.
- A dual-sensing system tracks heart function in real-time.
- This innovation aids in testing drug effects on heart tissue.
Scientists in Canada have engineered a sophisticated three-dimensional "heart-on-a-chip" that represents a significant stride in cardiovascular disease research. This innovative platform utilizes cardiac muscle and connective tissue cells from rats, grown on flexible silicon chips within a nutrient-rich gel.
The engineered heart tissue demonstrates autonomous beating and the ability to mobilize calcium for muscle activity. A key advancement is its dual-sensing system, enabling real-time monitoring of both overall contractile strength and microscopic cellular-level mechanical stress. This high-resolution capability addresses a critical need in heart research.
Researchers validated the chip's functionality by observing its predictable responses to common medications like norepinephrine and blebbistatin. The team's future aspirations include using patient-derived cells to personalize drug testing, bringing precision medicine closer to clinical application for conditions such as dilated cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias.
