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Sesame-sized heart organoid beats just like a human heart

Planning to grow multi-chambered heart, to advance cardiovascular therapies in the future

23-May-2021

Key points from article :

Scientists have successfully grown a bundle of human stem cells into a tiny artificial "heart" the size of a sesame seed.

This new cardioid model constructed...using six signaling pathways known to coordinate heart development in the human embryo.

These signals are known to lead to stem cell differentiation, allowing this artificial organ to develop distinct layers.

After just one week, mass of cells had formed a 3D structure that could beat rhythmically.

"..human heart models that develop more naturally and are therefore predictive of disease," - Sasha Mendjan, lead author.

Cardiac muscle and endocardial cells of the organoid were controlled by two initial signals, WNT and ACTIVIN.

They then began to form heart ventricles within the beating chamber.

Testing drugs in the lab on heart-like organs might help improve the success rates.

Self-organizing cardioids, similar to our own hearts, for further research on heart development and potential treatments.

Study by Vienna Biocenter published in Cell.

Mentioned in this article:

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Cell

Scientific journal publishing research from many disciplines within the life sciences

Sasha Mendjan

Group leader at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

Vienna Biocenter

Europe's biggest life sciences hub including research institutes and biotech companies

Topics mentioned on this page:
Regenerative Medicine, Heart Disease