Key points from article :
Northwestern University researchers have discovered a new synthetic, highly bioactive 3D printable biomaterial that could useful in regenerative medicine.
The team say the material forms “superstructured” bundles of nanofibres, which grows neurons in a laboratory from a patient’s own cells.
The material is created by mixing two liquids that quickly become rigid due to ‘host-guest complexes’.
One of the molecules in the material integrates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mimic protein, which helps neurons survive by promoting synaptic connections.
The researchers found that neurons actively penetrate the large pores and populate the new biomaterial when the mimetic signal is present.
“We can also use new biomaterial to regenerate cartilage and heart tissue after injury or heart attacks, to build organoids or can even directly implanted into tissues.” Stupp, lead author and director of Northwestern’s Simpson Querrey Institute.
The paper by Northwestern University has been published in the journal Advanced Science.
