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Engineered proteins create new blood vessels from stem cells

The method has potential for tissue repair and regenerative medicine

11-Jun-2024

Key points from article :

Scientists at the University of Washington have successfully directed human stem cells to form new blood vessels in the lab using computer-designed proteins.

This breakthrough in regenerative medicine, published in the journal Cell, holds promise for repairing damaged tissues in organs like the heart and kidneys.

The researchers achieved this by creating ring-shaped proteins that precisely control how stem cells mature and develop into functional blood vessels.

These engineered blood vessels formed tubes, healed when damaged, absorbed nutrients, and even connected to the circulatory system when transplanted into mice.

This innovative approach could revolutionize the study of tissue development and lead to new treatments for conditions like spinal cord injury.

The research was funded by various organizations including The Audacious Project, Open Philanthropy, and the National Institutes of Health.

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University of Washington (UW)

Public research university in Seattle, Washington

Topics mentioned on this page:
Synthetic Proteins, Regenerative Medicine
Engineered proteins create new blood vessels from stem cells