'U' researcher grows heart parts
More efficient replacements for synthetic or pig valves in development
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Ravi Birla, the director of the University's Artificial Heart Laboratory, is developing methods to grow individual heart components like valves, muscle patches and vascular.
Although Birla said the idea of an entire laboratory-grown heart is "more science fiction than fact," these natural replacements constructed from animal cells could eventually be stronger and more efficient than the ones currently used - generally, factory-made synthetic valves or pig valves.
The tissue's longevity could reduce the need for future surgeries and invasive procedures, Birla said. This would be especially helpful for children, who often outgrow artificial replacements and need multiple surgeries to insert new valves as they grow, he said.
Birla said the University's artificial heart lab is the only one he knows of that is developing replacements for several different parts of the heart simultaneously, which allows University researchers to determine which method is most efficient.
"Overall, as an artificial heart lab we've done well to place ourselves at an advantage," Birla said.
Birla is experimenting with different techniques to develop what he calls "3-D scaffolding structures." The structures are designed to mold cells into the proper shape to grow the organ parts.
Birla said the best type of cells to use for tissue engineering varies based on what organ part is being produced. For now, Birla uses animal cells because they are readily available, but embryonic stem cells may eventually be used because of their ability to multiply.
"We're waiting for the stem cell biologists to figure it out, " he said.
To develop muscle patches, researchers place animal cells in a dish with other agents, carefully controlling the culture's temperature, oxygen, carbon dioxide nutrient and pH levels to coax the cells to align into the structure of heart muscle.